Incidence of diabetic foot ulcer and its predictors among adult diabetes patients in Northern Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study
Summary: This retrospective cohort study assessed the incidence and key predictors of diabetic foot ulcers among adult diabetes patients in Northern Ethiopia. Following 321 individuals over several years, the research identified clinical and demographic factors significantly associated with ulcer development, emphasizing the importance of early detection and targeted prevention for high-risk patients.
Key Highlights:
- The incidence rate of diabetic foot ulcers was 1.01 per 100 person-years, with 11.8% of patients developing ulcers during follow-up.
- Older age (≥70 years) increased the risk nearly fifteenfold compared with younger patients.
- Other predictors included rural residence, hypertension, neuropathy, obesity, and abnormal HDL cholesterol levels.
- Findings underscore the need for proactive risk-based management in diabetic populations.
Keywords: diabetic foot ulcer, incidence, predictors, retrospective cohort, Ethiopia