Incidence and risk factors of first-ever diabetic foot ulcers in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors' conclusion
Approximately 5.5% of newly diagnosed T2DM patients developed DFU over 12 years of follow-up. Diabetes-related vascular complications were major determinants
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged ≥20 years newly diagnosed with T2D 2009–2012, without prior diabetes (2002–2008); excluded: preexisting CVD, prior lower-extremity amputation, diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), or death within 1 year of diagnosis
- Participants
- 137,541 adults
- Outcome
- Incidence of first-ever DFU
- Follow-up
- Until DFU, death, or December 31, 2024
Methodological detailsnationwide, Korean National Health Insurance Service data, age- and sex-based 1:4 propensity score matching for comparisons
- Nationwide
- Korean National Health Insurance Service data
- Age- and sex-based 1:4 propensity score matching for comparisons
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Incident first-ever DFU · during follow-up (until December 31, 2024)
Patients who developed DFU during follow-up
7,599
5.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Independent risk factors for DFU
- Smoking, non-Seoul residence, statin use, hypertension, dyslipidemia, HF, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and elevated fasting blood glucose independently associated with increased DFU risk
- Diabetes-related vascular complications were significant predictors
Cumulative DFU incidence by microvascular complications
- Cumulative DFU incidence higher in patients with microvascular complications
All-cause mortality
- All-cause mortality did not differ between matched groups
- Propensity score matched
Original publication
Incidence and risk factors of first-ever diabetic foot ulcers in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 1 June 2026. doi:10.
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