title: Management of diabetic foot ulcer in Babol, North of Iran: an experience on 520 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Foot ulcers (FU) are a significant complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and a preceding factor leading to lower extremity amputation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in Babol, north of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred twenty cases of diabetic foot ulcer that were hospitalized in two main teaching hospitals of Babol University of Medical Sciences from March 2005 to September 2011 were evaluated. Glycemic control, wound and foot care, ulcer treatment and site of amputation were determined and the collected data were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred forty seven (84%) had inappropriate glycaemic control. Three hundred-sixty-four (70%) received oral anti-diabetic drugs. Ulcer care was proper and improper in 46% and 54% of cases, respectively. Quality of foot care was inappropriate in 66% of patients. Most patients were treated surgically (85%) including debridement (28%) and amputation (57%). Major amputations were the most common (63%) and below knee amputation was more predominant (61%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that diabetic foot ulcer management is not appropriate in this region, and the rate of amputation is relatively high. Improvement and organization of existing facilities are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences. Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Nasser
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Janmohammadi
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hasanjani Roshan
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rouhi
authors.forename: Sayed Mokhtar
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Esmailnejad Ganji
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahrami
authors.forename: Zolaika
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Moazezi
keywords: Amputation; Diabetes Mellitus; Foot ulcer; Management