The influence of renal function on diabetic foot ulceration
G. D. Griffiths and T. J. Wieman
Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, KY 40292.
We examined the effect of renal function on the formation, severity, and
outcome of diabetic foot lesions. Information was collected from a
retrospective hospital chart survey and analyzed by univariate and
multivariate linear regression analysis. Creatinine clearance, peripheral
neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease were all found to be
independently associated with formation of foot lesions, indicating that
each of these acts by distinct biologic mechanisms. Renal function had no
bearing on the severity of lesions or on their eventual healing. We
conclude that foot ulcers are more likely to develop in diabetic patients
who also suffer from renal impairment, but they are no less likely to heal
than are those in patients with normal renal function. We further conclude
that attempts to preserve functional limbs in these patients are justified.
