Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study aims to determine the clinical and evolutionary profile of skin and soft tissue lesions in diabetics followed up at the dressing room. METHODS: We conducted an observational descriptive and analytical study in the dressing room of the Marc Sankalé Diabetes Center, Dakar from 1 January to 31 December 2017. Our study focused on diabetics who were examined in the dressing room. RESULTS: A total of 37.173 procedures were recorded at the Marc Sankalé Diabetes Center; 16.418 patients were treated in the dressing room, representing a prevalence of 14.16%. The average age of patients was 56,6 ±12 years, the sex ratio (M/F) was 0,88. Type 2 diabetes predominated (78,97%) and the average disease duration was 8.06 ± 7.9 years. The mean capillary blood glucose concentration was 2.4±1 g/l. Diabetic neuropathy was found in 72.33% of patients. Limb lesions were found in 93,98% of patients(1185 cases). The most common lesions included: ulcer (46,76%), abscess (13.46%), phlegmon (13.20%), gangrene (8.41%), erysipelas (3.78%), perforating ulcer (3.53%), intertrigo (3.95%). The lesions were be divided into infectious lesions (61,41), non-infectious lesions(33,50%), pure vascular lesions (1.57%) and mixed lesions (3.70%). Out of 1189 patients 7.57% had had osteitis. The germs found were Gram-positive bacteria (12.70%), Gram-negative bacteria (23.80%). Amputation was performed according to the topographical features of the lesion (p=0.00), the type of lesion (p=0.000), the seniority of diabetes (p=0.02), the type of diabetes (p=0.008), the presence of osteitis (p=0.006). Minor amputation was performed in 43,33% of cases, major amputation in 37.43% of cases; 70 deaths were recorded (5.89%). CONCLUSION: Skin and soft tissue lesions were dominated by diabetic foot. Mortality is not negligible and the risk of amputation was statistically related to the topographical features of the lesion, the type of lesion, the seniority and the type of diabetes and the presence of osteitis.