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Table 3 Independent variables associated with the three most common antecedent events at a P-value of ≤0.1

From: Chronic neuropathic ulcer is not the most common antecedent of lower limb infection or amputation among diabetics admitted to a regional hospital in Jamaica: results from a prospective cohort study

Antecedent event

Associated variable

No. (%) or mean with antecedent event

No. (%) or mean with other antecedent events combined

OR; CI; P-value (X2, Fisher’s exact or t-test)

Adjusted P-value (multivariable logistic regression)

aAcute idiopathic soft tissue infection/ulcer (n = 39)

Male gender

19/39 (48.7 %)

27/89 (30.3 %)

2.18; 1.01-4.73; 0.046

0.025

bNon-ulcerative structural foot abnormalities

16/33 (48.5 %)

12/54 (22.2 %)

3.29; 1.29–8.14; 0.011

0.031

Chronic neuropathic ulcer (n = 30)

cDiabetes > 5 years

30/30 (100 %)

83/97 (85.6 %)

P = 0.027

 

dPrevious infection affected limb

25/30 (83.3 %)

20/97 (20.6 %)

19.25; 6.54–57; <0.001

d < 0.001

ePrevious infection either limb

29/30 (96.7 %)

36/97 (37.1 %)

49.14; 6.42–376; <0.001

e < 0.001

Insulin dependent

24/30 (80 %)

57/97 (58.8 %)

2.81; 1.05–7.49; 0.034

0.042

fPeripheral sensory neuropathy

30/30 (100 %)

77/97 (79.4 %)

P = 0.007

 

Closed puncture wound (n = 25)

gPrevious infection affected limb

4/25 (16 %)

41/103 (39.8 %)

0.29; 0.09–0.9; 0.025

g0.007

hPrevious infection either limb

6/25 (24 %)

59/103 (57.3 %)

0.24; 0.087–0.64 0.003

h0.001

Insulin dependent

10/25 (40 %)

72/103 (69.9 %)

0.29; 0.12–0.71; 0.005

0.003

Time to first presentation to a doctor

4.7 days

7.6 days

0.9; 0.81–1.005; 0.056

0.015

  1. aAll idiopathic soft-tissue infection/acute ulcers occurred in weight bearing areas of the foot, 35/39 (89.7 %) occurring on the sole of the forefoot or toes, 3/39 (7.7 %) occurring on the lateral border of the instep and 1/39 (2.6 %) occurring on the heel. Six cases were associated with underlying osteomyelitis
  2. bNon-ulcerative structural abnormalities included any that distorted the normal contour of the foot (bony or joint abnormalities, callus, etc.)
  3. cAll patients with chronic neuropathic ulcer as antecedent event had been diagnosed with diabetes for more than 5 years. STATA could not calculate an OR and dropped this variable from the multivariable logistic regression output
  4. d,eThese two variables were alternated in the logistic regression equation because of the high degree of correlation between them. The P-values from the logistic regression output therefore reflect the effect of either variable but not both at the same time
  5. fAll patients with chronic neuropathic ulcer had peripheral sensory neuropathy. STATA could not calculate an OR and dropped this variable from the multivariable logistic regression output
  6. g,hThese two variables were alternated in the logistic regression equation because of the high degree of correlation between them. The P-values from the logistic regression output therefore reflect the effect of either variable but not both at the same time