Table 1.
Patient characteristics (all cohort) and proportion with multidisciplinary team (MDT) involvement. Values are expressed as n (%) except where indicated
| Variables | Frequency, n (%) (total n = 89) | MDT Involvement, n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Demographics | ||
| Age in years, mean (± SD) | 62.3 (13.8) | |
| Sex | ||
| Male | 64 (71.9) | 49 (55.1) |
| Female | 25 (28.1) | 18 (20.2) |
| Indigenous (yes) | 3 (3.4) | 2 (2.2) |
| Previously known to HRFS | 62 (69.7) | 47 (52.8) |
| Comorbidities | ||
| Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) | 61 (68.5) | 45 (50.5) |
| Hypertension (SBP > 130mmHg) | 56 (62.9) | 42 (47.2) |
| Established Cardiovascular Disease | 63 (70.8) | 49 (55.1) |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 46 (51.7) | 39 (43.8) |
| End stage renal disease | 10 (11.2%) | 9 (10.1) |
| Existing Foot Deformity | 37 (41.6) | 28 (31.4) |
| Peripheral Neuropathy | 59 (66.3) | 44 (49.4) |
| HbA1c in %, mean (± SD) | 8.4 (2.1) | 8.2 (2.7) |
| HbA1c > 7% (53mmol/mol) | 57 (67.9) | 44 (49.4) |
| Current Smoker | 18 (20.2) | 15 (16.9) |
| Current Drinker | 15 (16.9) | 12 (13.4) |
| On Immunosuppression Therapy | 1 (1.1) | 1 (1.1) |
| Laboratory results | ||
| Abnormal WCC (> 10 × 10^9/L) | 53 (60.2) | 43 (48.3) |
| Abnormal CRP (> 4.9 mg/L) | 83 (93.3) | 64 (71.9) |
| Blood Culture Performed | 44 (49.4) | 38 (42.7) |
| Wound Culture Performed | 62 (69.7) | 48 (53.9) |
| Imaging Performed | 80 (89.9) | 63 (70.8) |
| Ulcer Characteristics | ||
| Forefoot Ulcer | 63 (70.8) | |
| Hindfoot Ulcer | 13 (14.6) | |
| Combination Ulcer | 13 (14.6) | |
| Probing to Bone | 21 (23.6) | |
| Offloading in Place | 46 (51.7) | |
| PEDIS Classification | ||
| Stage 1 | 2 (2.2) | 2 (2.2) |
| Stage 2 | 22 (24.7) | 12 (13.5) |
| Stage 3 | 31 (34.8) | 25 (28.1) |
| Stage 3O | 19 (21.3) | 16 (18.0) |
| Stage 4 | 8 (9.0) | 7 (7.9) |
| Stage 4O | 7 (7.9) | 5 (5.6) |
| Management | ||
| MDT Involved | 67 (75.3) | |
| LOS in days, mean (± SD) | 11.85 (12.75) | |
| Revascularisation | 6 (6.7) | 6 (6.7) |
| Debridement | 8 (9.0) | 4 (4.5) |
| Minor Amputation | 6 (6.7) | 5 (5.6) |
| Major Amputation | 9 (10.1) | 8 (9.0) |
| ICU Admission | 3 (3.4) | 2 (2.2) |
Abbreviations: HRFS, High Risk Foot Service; BMI, body mass index; SBP, systolic blood pressure; WCC, white cell count; CRP, C−reactive protein; MDT, multidisciplinary team; LOS, length of stay; ICU, Intensive Care Unit
Definitions: The PEDIS (Perfusion, Extent, Depth, Infection, Sensation) classification developed by the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) is a universally accepted classification system developed primarily for DFI research [11]. The PEDIS classification ranges from 1 to 4, ascending with severity, with the suffix O denoting osteomyelitis. A PEDIS score of 1 represents a foot ulcer of no infection, whilst a PEDIS score of 4 represents a severe infection with signs of a systemic response