Vol. 8, Issue 4, Part A (2024)

Background and Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcers are a significant complication of diabetes, often exacerbated by peripheral neuropathy. Early detection of neuropathy is crucial for preventing foot deformities and reducing the incidence of ulcers. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the severity of peripheral neuropathy and the degree of diabetic foot ulcers in patients at Division of Vascular Surgery in Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital, Padang.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from April 2023 to analyze inpatients and outpatients with diabetic foot ulcers. Peripheral neuropathy was assessed using the Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS), while ulcer severity was classified according to the Wagner classification.

Results: Twenty-six patients were included in the analysis, with a majority exhibiting severe MDNS and Wagner grades 4 and 5. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a significant association between MDNS scores and Wagner classification.

Conclusion: Patients with more severe diabetic foot ulcers (Wagner grades 4-5) tended to have higher MDNS scores, indicating a strong correlation between peripheral neuropathy severity and ulcer severity. These findings underscore the importance of early neuropathy screening and management in preventing and treating diabetic foot ulcers.