Hospital discharges for diabetic foot complications in Ecuador: a nationwide register-based analysis

Arianna Maité Céspedes Rómulo, Alfredo Carlos Rodríguez-Portelles and Acrodriguezpor@gmail.com

SAP Podiatry, 2025

Abstract: Introduction: Diabetic foot complications are a leading cause of hospitalization and lower-limb amputation in Latin America, yet nationwide hospital data for Ecuador are scarce. Methods: We analyzed the open hospital discharge register of the Ecuadorian Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censos (Camas y Egresos Hospitalarios) for 2022 to 2024, selecting discharges whose principal ICD-10 diagnosis indicated a diabetic foot complication (E10-E14.5, L97 or R02). We estimated annual counts, crude rates per 100,000 inhabitants, and the distribution by province of residence, hospital sector and class, sex, age, in-hospital death and length of stay. Results: The register recorded 14,613 diabetic foot discharges in three years: 4,666 in 2022, 5,139 in 2023 and 4,808 in 2024, with crude rates of 26.34, 28.81 and 26.76 per 100,000. In 2024, 65% of discharges were men, the median age was 63 years and 89.30% occurred in public hospitals. In-hospital case fatality was 1.40% (95% CI 1.10-1.70). The highest province rates were observed in Manabi and Canar. Conclusions: Diabetic foot discharges in Ecuador are concentrated in public general hospitals and in coastal provinces, with a stable national rate near 27 per 100,000 and a male predominance. The register identifies foot complications but not amputations, because procedure codes are not recorded.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cwf:podart:pod2025155

DOI: 10.62486/pod2025155

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