CURRENT STATUS OF ANTIMICROBIAL PRESCRIBING PATTERN FOR DIABETIC FOOT IN INDIAN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Worldwide, diabetic foot (DF) is one of the most serious complications resulting in long term hospitalization among the diabetic patients. The aim of this prospective observational study of patients with established diagnosis of diabetic foot irrespective of severity type was to explore the current antimicrobial prescribing pattern in diabetic foot. The severity of diabetic foot patients was classified as per IDSA guidelines and enrolled. Microbial culture and sensitivity/resistance reports, antimicrobial treatment received for the study infection was recorded throughout the hospital stay. Out of 72 patients, 67% were males and maximum numbers of patients were in the age group of 51-60 years. MSSA was the predominant gram positive pathogen responsible for diabetic foot and gram negative organisms were very few isolated from pus samples. Parenteral ceftriaxone was empirically preferred in mild DF and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in moderate to severe cases infected with gram positive pathogens.  Piperacillin-tazobactum was preferred in moderate to severe DF cases infected with gram negative microorganisms. Metronidazole is preferred choice for anaerobic infection in combination with other antimicrobials though the isolation was not evident.