Introduction and Objective: Diabetic foot infection (DFI) is a common and significant complication of diabetes, with racial, ethnic, and age disparities potentially influencing clinical outcomes. We analyzed 7,769 patients evaluated for DFI at Parkland Health (PHHS), a large tertiary county system, and UT Southwestern (UTSW), a university center, to examine demographic differences between these adjacent healthcare facilities.Methods: The study population included 6,187 PHHS and 1,582 UTSW patients that were seen between 2013 to 2024. Each patient underwent biopsy, surgical resection, or amputation with accompanying histopathology.Results: UTSW patients were predominantly Non-Hispanic White, while PHHS patients were mainly Hispanic White. Slightly more females were seen at UTSW (33%) compared to PHHS (30%). PHHS patients tended to be younger, with most aged 51-60 years, compared to 61-70 years at UTSW. A subset of 3,181 subjects also had microbial cultures associated with their histopathology (2,271 PHHS and 910 UTSW patients). The top five pathogens observed at both facilities included S. aureus, S. agalactiae, MRSA, P. aeruginosa, and E. faecalis, with S. aureus being the most frequently identified microbe.Conclusion: These findings highlight how institutions in close geographical proximity can serve demographically distinct populations, emphasizing the need to consider these differences to tailor care and advance personalized medicine.
A. Sherwood: None. P.A. Crisologo: None. L.A. Lavery: Consultant; Limflow, enerenesis Medical, Clyra Medical technologies, Blue Sky, Tissue Health Plus. Stock/Shareholder; Xilas Medical. Consultant; Altrazeal. O.K. Oz: None.
American Diabetes Association (11-22-ICTSPM-05)
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