[Epidemiological and clinical aspects of the diabetic foot at the Central University Hospital of Brazzaville].

This study was carried out in the Metabolic Disease Department of the University Hospital of Brazzaville, between January 1995 and December 1999. Our purpose was to define epidemiological and clinical aspects of trophic disorders of the lower limbs, as observed among 247 diabetic patients. Diabetic foot was observed in 86.2% of adult patients with diabetes type 2, and in 13.8% of patients with diabetes type 1. The average duration of diabetes was 8 years. In 2.8% of cases, diabetes was discovered as a result of trophic disorders. Among observed lesions, infectious foot prevailed (63.9%) and mal perforant was exceptional (1.2%). The mortality rate before surgical intervention was high (22.6%).