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Aims  The aim of the present study was to estimate the direct cost of treatment of diabetic foot ulcer at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan in order to assess the extent of the economic burden which it imposes.

Methods  Out of 383 patients seen at Foot clinic of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE), records of 214 patients were analyzed while 169 patients left against medical advice (LAMA). The UT system was used to classify ulcer types. Information was retrieved on resource consumption (physician services, chiropody, investigations, medicines, hospital care and surgical procedures). Interventions were summed and multiplied by the unit price of each resource, using charges levied at BIDE in the year 2005, in order to calculate the total cost of treatment.

Results  64% were male, with mean age 52.7 ± 10.2 years. Mean duration of diabetes was 16.2 ± 6.6 years. Majority (62.1%) were …