India has the largest number of diabetic patients in the world with latest figure crossing 33 million and out of that as many as 50,000 patients losing their legs every year according to a latest study made by Diabetic Foot Society of India.

Almost 50 per cent of these foot amputations happen to patients belonging to the age group of 35-45. In western countries, the patients belong to 60+ years group.

Speaking on the occasion of World Diabetics Day last week,Dr Arun Bal, president Diabetic Foot Society of India, said, “Around 50,000 people lose their foot in India in every year. That means the same number of families is also suffering. The most shocking thing is this happens during productive years of their life. This causes economic and emotional burden on the patient, his family and the society. In developing countries like India, it is estimated that foot problems may account for as much as 40% of available healthcare resources.”

Foot ulcer, which may culminate in foot amputations, is the most common cause of admission to hospital for people with diabetes. According to WHO studies, upto 70% of all leg amputations happen to people with diabetes. One in every six people with diabetes will have a foot ulcer during their life-time. Each year, 4 million people worldwide get foot ulcer, the study states.

Worldwide the diabetes related foot diseases also cause a significant economic problem. The direct cost of an amputation associated with diabetic foot is estimated to be between US$30,000 and US$60,000. In every 30 seconds a leg is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world, he informed.

Explaining the possible reasons behind the increasing number of diabetics, he said, “Genetically, Indians are prone to diabetes. Changing life styles, food habits, lack of exercise are the major causes. In India, diabetes is found more in the age group below 50 years against 60 years in the western world. 10 years back around 7 per cent of people in urban area was diabetic. Today it came to 13-14 per cent. The figure in rural area is 6 per cent against 2 per cent.”

“People with diabetes are at high risk of nerve damage (neuropathy) and problems with blood supply to their feet (ischaemia). Both neuropathy and ischaemia can lead to foot ulcers and slowly healing wounds. Infections in these wounds may result in amputation,” he explained.

“In most cases diabetic foot ulcers and amputations can be prevented. It is estimated that upto 85 per cent of amputations could be avoided. Significant reductions can be achieved by well-organised diabetic foot care teams, good diabetes control and well-informed self care,” he concluded.

In 2003, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that there were 194 million people with diabetes around the world. By 2025, this figure is predicted to rise to 333 million. Each year, over three million deaths worldwide are attributed to diabetes-related causes and diabetes is now the fourth leading cause of death in most developed countries.