Published online Jul 15, 2026. doi: 10.4239/wjd.121349
Revised: May 8, 2026
Accepted: June 4, 2026
Published online: July 15, 2026
Processing time: 109 Days and 5.7 Hours
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a global health challenge that often leads to complications such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Although malnutrition is a common feature of hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, data on malnou
To determine the clinical features of malnutrition in this high-risk population.
This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with DFUs who were hospitalized between January 2020 and December 2025. We analyzed clinical data derived from electronic medical records, with patients being categorized into malnutrition and non-malnutrition groups based on nutritional status at admission and compared with respect to demographic, clinical, and outcome variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors of interest, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of significant risk factors.
In total, 268 eligible patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 96 and 172 were assigned to the malnutrition and non-malnutrition groups, respectively. Univariate analysis identified significant between-group differences for six factors, namely, age, duration of diabetes, serum albumin, triglycerides, hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs; P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that age (> 65 years; P = 0.004), serum albumin (< 36.6 g/L; P = 0.014), hemoglobin (< 111.2 g/L; P < 0.001), glycated hemoglobin (> 7.1%; P < 0.001), and MDROs (P < 0.006) were independent risk factors for malnutrition. Furthermore, compared with the non-malnutrition group, patients in the malnutrition group had a longer mean hospital stay and lower rates of wound healing within 60 days (P < 0.05).
To improve the clinical outcomes of malnourished hospitalized patients with DFUs, early intervention should be provided to those with risk factors such as older age, depleted hemoglobin, and MDRO infections.
Core Tip: Malnutrition is a critical yet underrecognized issue in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus-related diabetic foot ulcers, directly impacting clinical outcomes. In this retrospective study of 268 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus-related diabetic foot ulcers, malnutrition was identified in 35.8% and was independently associated with age > 65 years, serum albumin < 36.6 g/L, hemoglobin < 111.2 g/L, glycated hemoglobin > 7.1%, and multidrug-resistant organisms. Malnourished patients experienced longer hospital stays and lower 60-day wound healing rates. Early nutritional assessment and targeted intervention for these modifiable risk factors are essential to improve prognosis in this high-risk population.