11. Comparative Study of Soft Tissue Infections of Upper Limb in Diabetics and Non Diabetics
Muhammad Qasim Butt1, Muhammad Abdul Hannan2, Mehwish3 and Komal Hussain4
ABSTRACT
Objective: Comparative study of Soft tissue infections of upper limb infections in diabetics and non-diabetics.
Study Design: A prospective observational study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot and Jinnah Hospital Lahore from January 2016 to December 2018.
Materials and Methods: Ethical review committee permission was sought and informed consent were obtained from patients. All diabetic patients were enrolled through Outpatient Department & Emergency of Surgery and Orthopedics; in group A. Control was made up of nondiabetics with soft tissue upper limb infections due to trauma and were enrolled in Group B. Both groups were randomized for Age, gender, BMI, Duration of diabetes and type of diabetes. Infections were defined as dry, gas, and wet gangrene; necrotizing fasciitis or cellulitis; acute extensive osteomyelitis; involving the hand.
Results: In our study there were 250 patients in Group A (Diabetics with upper limb infections) and Group B (Non-Diabetic with upper limb infections) contained 220 patients. In group A (250) there were 72% (180) female and 28%(70) were male. In group B (220) there were 57%(125) male and 43%(95) female. Highest number of cases in Group A were cellulitis in female followed by wet gangrene of hand and hand abscess, similarly Group B had highest number of cases of cellulitis both in males and females, followed by hand abscess and necrotizing fasciitis.
Conclusion: Higher number of cases in diabetics and severe consequences of soft tissue infections is clearly evident in our study. Therefore, it is recommended that in diabetics even absence of trauma, professional advice from endocrinologist and surgeon should be sought to maintain optimal glycemic control and to avert any limb or life-threatening medical situation.
Key Words: Diabetes Mellitus, Soft tissue infection, Nephropathy, Wet gangrene, Necrotizing fascitis
Citation of article: Butt MQ, Hannan MA, Mehwish, Hussain K. Comparative Study of Soft Tissue Infections of Upper Limb in Diabetics and Non Diabetics. Med Forum 2020;31(6):48-51.