Diabetic foot disease: the perspective of a Nigerian tertiary health care centre

Foot ulceration is a leading cause of hospitalisation amongst patients with diabetes in many developing countries worldwide, resulting in prolonged hospital stays and increased morbidity and mortality. In an attempt to illustrate the challenge posed by diabetic foot disease amongst Nigerians, this article presents the findings from a retrospective review of patients with diabetic foot disease who were hospitalised in a teaching hospital in Nigeria. Approximately 50% of all the patients required major amputations. Foot ulceration and major amputations predominated in the lower socioeconomic groups and mortality was alarmingly high.

The attendant lessons and challenges to the provision of foot care to Nigerians with diabetes mellitus are highlighted. Strategies to assist in reducing the morbidity from diabetic foot disease in resource‐poor countries are also discussed. The ultimate target should be to institute foot care programmes that will work effectively in primary, secondary and tertiary health care settings throughout Nigeria. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.