Associations of Glycemic Control, Age, and Sex with Diabetic Foot Risk and Active Foot Ulceration among Patients with Diabetes in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Diabetic foot disease is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, and it is a leading reason people with diabetes are hospitalized, need amputations, or die early. This study looked at patients with diabetes in Saudi Arabia to see how blood sugar control, age, and sex relate to the risk of foot problems and active foot ulcers. Researchers studied 710 patients at a specialist diabetes center in Qassim, Saudi Arabia, using a cross-sectional design, which means they took a single snapshot of each person's health at one point in time. Poorer blood sugar control, measured by HbA1c (a blood test that shows average blood sugar over the past two to three months), was linked to higher foot risk and active ulcers. Older age was also associated with greater risk, while sex played a role that differed in ways that need more study. These findings matter because they reinforce that keeping blood sugar in a healthy range is key to protecting feet. However, because this was a single-center, cross-sectional study, it cannot prove cause and effect, and the results may not apply to all patients or other countries. The broader message is simple: regular foot checks and good glucose control help prevent serious foot complications.
Key takeaways
- Poor blood sugar control, shown by higher HbA1c levels, was linked to higher diabetic foot risk and active foot ulcers.
- Older age was associated with greater foot risk, suggesting older patients need extra attention and routine foot exams.
- The study included 710 patients at a single diabetes center in Qassim, Saudi Arabia, so results may differ elsewhere.
- Sex appeared to influence foot risk, but more research is needed to understand why and how to use this information.
- Because the study was a one-time snapshot, it cannot prove that poor sugar control causes ulcers, only that they occur together.
- Ask your doctor for an HbA1c goal that is right for you and request a professional foot exam at least once a year.
Read the full paper / source →
This content summarizes published medical research for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.
Free consultation
Could this treatment help you?
Our DFU specialists review every inquiry personally. Tell us about your situation — response within 48 hours, no commitment required.
This website provides medical-information science popularization only. It does NOT provide online diagnosis, prescriptions, or medical advice. Consult a licensed physician for any medical decision.
Editor's note
Think of high HbA1c like leaving a wound sitting in sugar water — it damages nerves and blood vessels, slows healing, and lets small cuts turn into stubborn ulcers. This Saudi study confirms what specialists in China see every day: the patients who protect their feet best are the ones who keep blood sugar steady and catch problems early. If you have been told your wound will not heal or that amputation is your only option, that message is often too pessimistic — China's specialist DFU centers routinely combine blood sugar control, wound debridement, advanced dressings, and sometimes stem cell or vascular treatments to save limbs. These centers exist and are experienced, so for an international patient it means you have real choices beyond amputation, and you can ask about limb-salvage programs before you travel.