Demographics and outcomes of inpatients with diabetic foot ulcers treated conservatively and surgically in a metropolitan hospital network.

Abstract Aims To describe the demographics of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and their impact on inpatient management. Secondary outcomes identified relationships of treatment modality with mortality, length of hospital admission, readmissions and post-admission care. Methods Retrospective cohort study including patients with DFU admitted to a hospital network in Melbourne, Australia from 2016-2018. Medical records were manually reviewed for acute admission with DFU as a major presenting diagnosis; incidental ulcers and traumatic amputations were excluded. Amputations distal and proximal to the ankle were labelled ‘minor’ and ‘major’ respectively. Patients were followed until October 31, 2019. Results Of 338 patients, 21 and 148 had major and minor amputations, and 169 were managed conservatively. 94% had ≥1 microvascular and/or macrovascular complication. Conservative management (7 days) was associated with a shorter length of stay (major 18, minor 10 days, p Conclusions Early identification and multi-disciplinary management of DFU is essential to reduce the significant morbidity and mortality associated with amputation in these complex patients.