Prevalence and associated factors of foot deformity among adult diabetic patients on follow-up at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Diabetes foot deformity is one of the main cause of diabetic foot ulceration and then leads to lower limb amputation. However, there is limited study on the distribution of foot deformity and its risk factors among diabetic patients in Ethiopia, particularly there is no study in the study area. Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of foot deformity among adult diabetic patients on follow-up at Debre Markos comprehensive specialized hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022 Methods: Hospital-based, cross-sectional study design was conducted among 392 diabetic patients from 1st June to 20th July 2022 at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital by using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires and diabetic foot assessment format, entered through epidata 4.6 versions, and exported to STATA 14 version for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistics regression was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Adjusted odds ratio was used to determine the strength of the association, and a variable with a p-value <0.05 were statistically significant in multivariable logistic regression. Result: The overall prevalence of foot deformity was 33.42% [95%CI; 28.9,38.3]. In the final multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, rural residency [AOR=2.55, 95%CI:1.26, 5.14], having poor glycaemic control [AOR =2.63;95% CI: 1.45, 4.79], duration of diabetes 11-15 years [AOR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.26], duration of diabetes greater than15 years [AOR = 4.62; 95% CI: 1.80, 11.82], inadequate footwear [AOR = 2.06; 95% CI:1.13, 3.75], and presence of peripheral neuropathy [AOR = 8.11; 95% CI: 4.45, 14.77] were statistically significant associated factors with diabetes foot deformity. Conclusion and Recommendation: Prevalence of foot deformity among adult diabetic patients was relatively higher. Emphasis on integrating foot deformity screening in routine diabetic management, especially for those having poor glycaemic control, rural residency, long duration of diabetes (>10 years), inadequate footwear, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are recommended. Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, foot deformity, Prevalence, Northwest Ethiopia