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Table 3 Distribution of relevant variables by outcome of 77 episodes of closed pedal puncture wound.

From: The natural history of pedal puncture wounds in diabetics: a cross-sectional survey

 

Outcome of closed pedal puncture wound

 
 

Healed,

no doctor

Healed,

non-surgical Rx

Debridement,

amputation

P-value

(chi2 or t-test)

Number of cases (%)

35(45.4%)

21(27.3%)

21(27.3%)

 

   95% CI

34.1-56.8%

17.1-37.4%

17.1-37.4%

 

*Infected - no.(%)

0

5(23.8%)

21(100%)

< 0.001

Implement of puncture** - no.(%): nail/metal fragment

10(28.6%)

10(47.6%)

12(57.1%)

0.089

Location implement - no.(%): on the ground

31(88.6%)

17(80.6%)

18(85.7%)

0.73

Depth of wound - no.(%): deep

7(20%)

6(28.6%)

9(42.9%)

0.186

Limb - no.(%): right***

12/18(66.7%)

10/18(55.6%)

12/21(57.1%)

0.76

Part of foot affected - no.(%): anterior sole

12(34.3%)

9(42.9%)

16(76.2%)

0.008

Activity at time of puncture! - no.(%): nothing special

13(37.1%)

15(71.4%)

10(47.6%)

0.045

Footwear at time of puncture - no.(%): slippers only

26(74.3%)

16(76.2%)

17(81%)

0.848

Puncture not felt - no.(%)

2(5.7%)

5(23.8%)

10(47.6%)

0.001

Home remedy? - no.(%): yes

33(94.3%)

13(61.9%)

13(61.9%)

0.004

Type home remedy!! - no.(%): disinfectant

12/33(36.4%)

7/13(53.9%)

3/13(23.1%)

0.265

Unprescribed oral antibiotic? - no.(%): yes

0

1(4.8%)

0

0.236

Compliant with diabetes Rx at time of puncture - no.(%): yes

34(97.1%)

21(100%)

18(85.7%)

0.08

Smoking status at time of puncture - no.(%): current

0

0

1(4.8%)

0.259

Time from puncture to doctor's visit - days (%): less than 3

 

19(90.5)

12(57.1%)

0.014

  1. In 3 of the 5 episodes of infection which resolved without surgical intervention, the participant did not feel the puncture; in 2, the implement was a nail; in 4, the wound was thought to be deep and in 2, the part of the foot affected was the fore-sole. There were therefore no variables which allowed prediction of resolution of infection without surgical intervention.
  2. *Infection defined as an issue of pus and/or appearance of redness and/or increased local temperature
  3. **Other implements of puncture include thorn (11), glass fragment (9), needle (1), thumbtack (3), tip of a machete (3), stone fragment (3), wood fragment (2) and barbed wire (1). All punctures due to thorns healed without medical intervention.
  4. ***For 20 episodes, participants could not remember which foot was affected.
  5. !Other activities at the time of puncture include job (18) and housework/gardening (21). No participant reported being involved in recreation at the time of puncture.
  6. !!Other home remedies include "black dressing" (a tar based ointment) (14), antibiotic cream (2), antibiotic powder (4), black shoe polish and kerosene.