The hidden impact: frailty and malnutrition in patients with diabetic foot ulcers

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 262 - 268, 21.03.2025

Levent Demir , Mustafa Avcı , Murat Kahraman , Selahattin Kılıç

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1608035

Abstract

Aims: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a significant complication affecting over 30% of individuals with diabetes, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the relationships between frailty, nutritional status, and quality of life in patients aged 50 and older diagnosed with DFUs.
Methods: A total of 100 participants with DFUs were prospectively included in the study, with assessments conducted using the Edmonton Frailty Scale and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale. Quality of life was evaluated using the EQ-5D-3L scale. Demographic data, concomitant diseases, medications, HbA1c levels, and participants’ height, weight, and circumferences of the upper arm, calf, and waist were recorded. The data analysis was performed using statistical software.
Results: The findings revealed that 50% of patients exhibited varying degrees of frailty, and 85% were at risk of malnutrition. Both frailty and malnutrition were associated with a significant decline in quality of life. Notably, patients with normal nutritional status reported higher quality of life scores compared to those at risk of malnutrition or malnourishment.
Conclusion: This study underscores the need for a holistic approach to managing DFUs that integrates frailty and nutritional status assessments. Targeted interventions addressing these factors are essential for improving health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with diabetes. The findings advocate a shift from a narrow focus on wound management to a broader, more comprehensive care strategy.

Keywords

Diabetic foot ulcers, frailty, nutrition, quality of life

Gizli etki: diyabetik ayak ülseri olan hastalarda kırılganlık ve yetersiz beslenme

Abstract

Amaç: Diyabetik ayak ülserleri (DFU) diyabetli bireylerin %30'undan fazlasını etkileyen, morbidite ve mortalitenin artmasına yol açan önemli bir komplikasyondur. Bu çalışma, DFU tanısı alan 50 yaş ve üzeri hastalarda kırılganlık, beslenme durumu ve yaşam kalitesi arasındaki ilişkileri araştırmaktadır.
Yöntemler: DFU'lu toplam 100 katılımcı prospektif olarak çalışmaya dahil edilmiş ve değerlendirmeler Edmonton Kırılganlık Ölçeği ve Mini Nutrisyonel Değerlendirme ölçeği kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Yaşam kalitesi EQ-5D-3L ölçeği kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Demografik veriler, eşlik eden hastalıklar, ilaçlar, HbA1c düzeyleri ve katılımcıların boy, kilo ve üst kol, baldır ve bel çevreleri kaydedilmiştir. Veri analizi istatistiksel yazılım kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir.
Bulgular: Bulgular, hastaların %50'sinin çeşitli derecelerde kırılganlık sergilediğini ve %85'inin malnütrisyon riski altında olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Hem kırılganlık hem de malnütrisyon yaşam kalitesinde önemli bir düşüşle ilişkilendirilmiştir. Özellikle, beslenme durumu normal olan hastalar, malnütrisyon veya malnütrisyon riski altında olanlara kıyasla daha yüksek yaşam kalitesi skorları bildirmiştir.
Sonuç: Bu çalışma, kırılganlık ve beslenme durumu değerlendirmelerini entegre eden DFU'ların yönetimine yönelik bütüncül bir yaklaşıma duyulan ihtiyacın altını çizmektedir. Bu faktörleri ele alan hedefe yönelik müdahaleler, diyabetle yaşayan bireylerin sağlık sonuçlarını iyileştirmek ve yaşam kalitesini artırmak için gereklidir. Bulgular, yara yönetimine dar bir odaklanmadan daha geniş, daha kapsamlı bir bakım stratejisine geçişi savunmaktadır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: diyabetik ayak ülseri, kırılganlık, beslenme, yaşam kalitesi

Keywords

diyabetik ayak ülseri, kırılganlık, beslenme, yaşam kalitesi

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