BACTERIOLOGY PROFILE OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS IN A TERTIARY HEALTHFACILITY IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

BACTERIOLOGY PROFILE OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that is characterized by hyperglycemia as well as the potential of developing chronic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. One of such chronic complications is the diabetic foot ulcer, which is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The presence of infection contributes to the chronicity of such diabetic foot ulcers. Therefore, an understanding of the kinds of organisms that may be encountered in such ulcers as well as the appropriate antimicrobial treatment approach is essential in the management of foot ulcers in diabetes mellitus.

Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that reviewed the medical records of patients admitted with diabetic foot ulcers into the Dalhatu Araf specialist hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria between 2017 and 2022. Data such as age, sex, species of bacteria cultured from foot ulcer and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns were extracted and entered into pre designed proforma. Statistical analysis was done

using the SSPS statistics software version 23.0.

Results: The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was determined to be 19.5%. Bacteria were isolated via culture from only 34.9% of foot ulcers, and Escherichia coli was the predominant bacteria isolated (54.5%). It showed high level of sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol.

Conclusion: The findings of this study didn't exactly mirror the findings in similar studies done within Nigeria and in other parts of the world. This reflects the fact that the predominant bacteria cultured from diabetic foot ulcers may vary from location to location, depending on factors such as variations in the type and regimens of antibiotic therapy in persons living with diabetes mellitus.