Optimizing self-management and quality of life for patients living with diabetic foot ulcers: Insights from Indonesia

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are chronic wounds on the lower extremities of individuals with diabetes, characterized by slow healing. Without effective self-management, patients with DFUs face an increased risk of hospitalization and amputation, which can significantly impair daily activities and diminish quality of life. This study aims to analyze the correlation between self-management and quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Employing a correlational study design, this research involved adults with any stage of diabetic foot ulcers treated at a public hospital in Semarang, Central Java. Participants were consecutively sampled, and data were collected using the Diabetes-related Foot Ulcer Self-Management Behaviour Scale (DFUSMBS) and the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-Short Form (DFU-SF). Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted on the collected data. The study included 36 participants with a mean age of 57.61 years (SD = 9.71), over half of whom had no history of amputation. Results indicated a positive correlation between self-management and quality of life (r = 0.385, p<0.05). However, both self-management and quality of life scores were generally low, with mean scores of 42.52 and 89.55, respectively. Effective self-management is positively correlated with improved quality of life for individuals with diabetic foot ulcers. It is recommended that healthcare providers offer targeted self-management education to enhance or maintain the quality of life for these patients.

Keywords: Diabetic foot ulcers; diabetes care; amputation; self-management; quality of life; nursing care