Tue Nov 19 01:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Diabetic Foot Conditions Surge in Karnataka, Amputations on the Rise

**Bengaluru, November 19, 2024** – A sharp increase in diabetic foot conditions among patients at the Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology and Research (KIER) has raised concerns. The institute, which maintains a diabetic foot registry, saw a significant jump in cases from 13,091 in 2022 to 13,958 in 2023. Through October 2024, the number has already reached 11,258.

This rise is particularly pronounced among men aged 35 to 55. The number of amputations has also increased dramatically. In 2023, there were 55 minor and 12 major amputations; this year, the figures have already reached 17 minor and 65 major amputations. The institute’s amputation rate averages between 8% and 10%, with many additional cases likely unrecorded due to patients seeking treatment elsewhere.

Dr. Belehalli Pavan, Associate Professor of Podiatry at KIER, attributes the increase to a lack of public awareness. High blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels in the feet, leading to neuropathy, reduced pain sensation, and impaired blood flow. This creates a high risk of ulcers that can become infected and necessitate amputation.

KIER’s screening data reveals alarming numbers: 3,490 patients screened this year have diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), 511 have peripheral arterial disease (PAD), 1,405 have diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), and 228 have both DFU and PAD.

The pandemic played a role, with many patients delaying treatment, returning with worsened conditions. Furthermore, the number of new diabetes cases increased post-COVID-19.

Dr. Pavan stresses the need for early detection at the primary healthcare level to prevent severe complications. Dr. Sanjay Sharma, secretary of the Indian Podiatry Association’s Karnataka unit, notes that while national data is lacking, studies suggest that about 50% of people with diabetes experience diabetic foot conditions, with DFUs contributing to around 80% of non-traumatic amputations in India, totaling approximately 100,000 annually. The prevalence of DFU in India is estimated to be around 19%.

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