O-69 Baseline Demographic Characteristics of the Barbados Diabetic Foot Study: An Inpatient Cohort with Diabetic Foot Ulceration
Author(s):
L Lovell, NS Greaves
Year of Presentation:
2025
Objective: To assess incidence and factors associated with
tertiary level hospital admission for diabetic foot ulceration
(DFU) in Barbados.
Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited adults (>18 years) between January 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024 who presented to Accident and Emergency department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with a clinical diagnosis of DFU. Baseline data gathered via interviewer administered questionnaire included demographics, SINBAD staging of ulceration, as well as comorbidities. Incidence of inpatient ulceration was estimated, and univariate and multivariate analyses were then conducted to assess association.
Results: 176 persons were enrolled. The inpatient incidence of DFU was estimated at 0.23%. A known history of peripheral arterial disease was found in 39.2% of study participants with infection present in 53.4% of the cohort. Lower level of education and lower income/ state support were associated with ulceration. Only 1.1% of the sample reported completing undergraduate university-level education. Almost thirty-seven percent (36.9%) of participants were in the lowest national census income band (0-49 000 Barbados dollars), while 40.9% reported receiving welfare or national insurance benefits.
Conclusion: This study identifies possible factors influencing the incidence of DFU and highlights the possible role of social determinants of health. It potentially informs further work explicating the link between social and biological DFU risk factors for possible high-risk groups.