Diabetic foot in Nigeria - a review article

Abstract

Numerous institutional reports from Nigeria on diabetic foot (DF) have appeared showing variations from one institution to another in the last 40 years. In the author's opinion, this is the first overall review on DF care in Nigeria to put all the pictures together and then compare with global literature. The reports showed varied male-female preponderance, occurrence mainly among the low socio-economic group patients, mostly involved in one form of trading or another, with a peak incidence in the 6th decade, up from the 5th decade of the past. There is also a rising incidence of DF which has recently become an important indication for lower limb amputation in Nigeria. This review also discusses the peculiar situations of DF in Nigeria in relation to aetiopathogenesis, staging and classification, non-operative and operative treatment, and the way forward to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the present disappointing outcome of care of DF patients in Nigeria. The roles of interventional radiology and revascularization in DF management are highlighted.