ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND RISK FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT ULCER

Diabetic foot ulcer is poorly or non-healing full thickness wound through the dermis, below the ankle in an individual with Diabetes. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of wound on the quality of life of subjects with Diabetic foot ulcer. Diabetic foot ulcer causes changes in the daily lives of patients, creates limitations to perform daily activities and has an enormous impact on the quality of life both physically and mentally. The study also aimed to determine the risk factors contributing to the development of Diabetic foot ulcer. A total of 42 subjects were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the study population was 57.95 ± 9.95. In DFS the obtained mean and standard deviation of total QOL of patients was 58.68 ± 8.72. Also, there was a significant association found between the variables gender, age, BMI and presence of neuropathy with the QOL domains. The major risk factors identified towards the development of DFU are Peripheral Neuropathy (66.66%), lack of foot care (76.19%) and poorly controlled blood sugar level (61.90%). The study found out that the quality of life and its dimension in patients with DFU's are in low range. While health education is a fundamental obligation of health care professional it is paramount that patients adopt the guidelines of feet care and integrate them into daily life in trying to prevent diabetic foot and its consequences.