Abstract

Wagner's classification is the most widely used grading system in diabetic foot infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the trace elements in diabetic foot infected patients graded with Wagner's classification. This prospective study was carried out on 50 diabetic patients with variable severity of foot infections and 50 age and sex matched healthy subjects in Dicle University, Turkey, between October 2006 and November 2008. Diabetic foot infections were graded according to Wagner classification and deep tissue cultures were performed from all diabetic foot infected patients. The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used in the measurement of trace elements in the serum. serum zinc and copper levels were significantly elevated in patients with Wagner 3 and 4 compared to Wagner 2 and 1 graded patients and healthy controls. Also Wagner 1 and 2 graded patients had higher serum zinc levels compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). This study confirms that trace elements may be used as a leading sign to determine the severity of infections in diabetic foot wounds and may be used to predict outcome of diabetic foot infections.

Key words: Copper, zinc, diabetic foot, classification.