Journals / Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine / 2026 / Volume: 8 Issue: 2

The hidden impact: frailty and malnutrition in patients with diabetic foot ulcers

Gizli etki: diyabetik ayak ülseri olan hastalarda kırılganlık ve yetersiz beslenme

Levent Demir(Kayseri Şehir Eğitim Araştırma Hastanesi)0000-0001-6600-7414
Mustafa Avcı(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ANTALYA SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ)0000-0002-5018-9070
Murat Kahraman(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, KAYSERİ SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ)0000-0002-3821-9767
Selahattin Kılıç(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, KAYSERİ SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ)0000-0002-9146-645X
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-03-21
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Results: The findings revealed that 50% of patients exhibited varying degrees of frailty, and 85% were at risk of malnutrition.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a significant complication affecting over 30% of individuals with diabetes, leading to increased morbidity and mortality.
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Key Findings & Data:This study investigates the relationships between frailty, nutritional status, and quality of life in patients aged 50 and older diagnosed with DFUs.
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Conclusion & Impact:Results: The findings revealed that 50% of patients exhibited varying degrees of frailty, and 85% were at risk of malnutrition.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Diabetic foot ulcers · frailty · nutrition

Abstract

Aims: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a significant complication affecting over 30% of individuals with diabetes, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the relationships between frailty, nutritional status, and quality of life in patients aged 50 and older diagnosed with DFUs. Methods: A total of 100 participants with DFUs were prospectively included in the study, with assessments conducted using the Edmonton Frailty Scale and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale. Quality of life was evaluated using the EQ-5D-3L scale. Demographic data, concomitant diseases, medications, HbA1c levels, and participants’ height, weight, and circumferences of the upper arm, calf, and waist were recorded. The data analysis was performed using statistical software. Results: The findings revealed that 50% of patients exhibited varying degrees of frailty, and 85% were at risk of malnutrition. Both frailty and malnutrition were associated with a significant decline in quality of life. Notably, patients with normal nutritional status reported higher quality of life scores compared to those at risk of malnutrition or malnourishment. Conclusion: This study underscores the need for a holistic approach to managing DFUs that integrates frailty and nutritional status assessments. Targeted interventions addressing these factors are essential for improving health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with diabetes. The findings advocate a shift from a narrow focus on wound management to a broader, more comprehensive care strategy.

Özet

Amaç: Diyabetik ayak ülserleri (DFU) diyabetli bireylerin %30'undan fazlasını etkileyen, morbidite ve mortalitenin artmasına yol açan önemli bir komplikasyondur. Bu çalışma, DFU tanısı alan 50 yaş ve üzeri hastalarda kırılganlık, beslenme durumu ve yaşam kalitesi arasındaki ilişkileri araştırmaktadır. Yöntemler: DFU'lu toplam 100 katılımcı prospektif olarak çalışmaya dahil edilmiş ve değerlendirmeler Edmonton Kırılganlık Ölçeği ve Mini Nutrisyonel Değerlendirme ölçeği kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Yaşam kalitesi EQ-5D-3L ölçeği kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Demografik veriler, eşlik eden hastalıklar, ilaçlar, HbA1c düzeyleri ve katılımcıların boy, kilo ve üst kol, baldır ve bel çevreleri kaydedilmiştir. Veri analizi istatistiksel yazılım kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Bulgular, hastaların %50'sinin çeşitli derecelerde kırılganlık sergilediğini ve %85'inin malnütrisyon riski altında olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Hem kırılganlık hem de malnütrisyon yaşam kalitesinde önemli bir düşüşle ilişkilendirilmiştir. Özellikle, beslenme durumu normal olan hastalar, malnütrisyon veya malnütrisyon riski altında olanlara kıyasla daha yüksek yaşam kalitesi skorları bildirmiştir. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, kırılganlık ve beslenme durumu değerlendirmelerini entegre eden DFU'ların yönetimine yönelik bütüncül bir yaklaşıma duyulan ihtiyacın altını çizmektedir. Bu faktörleri ele alan hedefe yönelik müdahaleler, diyabetle yaşayan bireylerin sağlık sonuçlarını iyileştirmek ve yaşam kalitesini artırmak için gereklidir. Bulgular, yara yönetimine dar bir odaklanmadan daha geniş, daha kapsamlı bir bakım stratejisine geçişi savunmaktadır. Anahtar Kelimeler: diyabetik ayak ülseri, kırılganlık, beslenme, yaşam kalitesi

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Cite This Article

Demir, L., Avcı, M., Kahraman, M., Kılıç, S. (2025). The hidden impact: frailty and malnutrition in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, Volume: 8 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1608035

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