Abstract
Background: Foot ulceration is very common complication of diabetes. Prevalence of psychiatric
disorders is considered to be more in patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers.
Aim: The present study was carried out to observe and evaluate the various psychiatric
disorders experienced by patients with diabetic foot ulceration, management of these
disorders, and the metabolic abnormalities associated with the use of antipsychotic
drugs. Materials and Methods: In this observational study, 293 patients in the age group of 25-70 years of either
sex, who visited this hospital for the management of diabetic foot ulcers, were included
after taking informed consent. They were prospectively followed for a period of 24
months. A phenomenological approach using semi-structured, conversational interviews
was used. They were interviewed for the type of diabetes, duration of diabetes and
duration of foot ulcer and other complications, type of treatment for diabetes and
diabetic foot, psychosocial effects of foot ulceration on their daily The Hamilton
rating scale for depression, questionnaire was used for assessing depression while
the Hamilton anxiety rating scale questionnaire was used to rate the severity of anxiety.
The data collected and analyzed for the type of psychiatric disorder, treatment options,
type of drugs given and any side effects or complications occur as a result of these
drugs. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Conclusion: Diabetic foot ulcer is associated with an increased incidence of various psychiatric
disorders, depression being the most common among these. Drugs used to treat depression
and associated with metabolic disturbances. Hyperglycemia associated with the use
of antidepressants and antipsychotics further worsens the foot ulceration. Coordination
between different specialties is important to manage the clinical, biological, and
psychosocial aspects of this critical illness.
Anxiety - depression - diabetic foot ulcer - psychiatric aspects
