A diabetic foot ulcer may be associated with significant impairment of the patient's quality of life. A patient with a foot amputation may have a better quality of life than a patient with a nonhealing foot ulcer.
Factors associated with a worse quality of life:
(1) failure of the ulcer to heal
(2) frustration about the ulcer
(3) anxiety about health
(4) impairment in physical activities, including mobility
(5) complications of therapy
(6) pain (not a significant factor for many patients)
Any patient with a diabetic foot ulcer should be asked about their quality of life, especially if the ulcer is nonhealing.
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