Association Between Smoking and Foot Ulcer among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus, Wad Medani, Sudan

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess the relationship between smoking and
diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) among adult diabetic patients presenting to Aldarga Diabetic
Center, Wad Medani, Sudan in 2020.
Methods: This comprehensive study is based on primary data obtained via a
longitudinal cross-section random sample of 400 patients with diabetes mellitus who
presented to Aldarga Diabetic Health Center in Wad Medani Town, Gezira State, Sudan
between September and December 2020. Data were collected using a structured
questionnaire. The core questions included two main dimensions: sociodemographic
variables and smoking. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software, v.20, using
descriptive and inferential statistics, namely, frequency tables and graphs, showing
the Chi-square test of the relationship between the dependent and the independent
variables.
Results: Of the 400 participants, 96 were clearly diagnosed with foot ulcer giving
a proportion of 33% in the sample. There was a statistically significant relationship
between smoking and DFU. A Chi-square test was done to measure the relationship
between smoking and foot ulcer, which was significant at P = 0.043.
Conclusion: Extensive awareness programs to control the negative effect of smoking
in accelerating DFU and amputation are necessary.