Association between depression severity and clinical evolution of diabetic foot in patients treated at a public hospital in Peru

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the degree of depression and the clinical progression of diabetic foot in patients treated at Hospital II-1 Santa María del Socorro in Ica, 2025. Methods: This was an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study with correlational analysis. The Zung Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS) was applied to a simple random sample of 191 patients aged 40–70 years with a clinical diagnosis of diabetic foot. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v25, and chi-square tests were used to assess associations between depressive symptoms and clinical variables. Results: A total of 95.8% of participants exhibited mild depressive symptoms, while 3.2% showed moderate symptoms. Significant associations were observed between the degree of depression and clinical variables, including physical activity and rest (χ² = 84.36, p < 0.05), dietary regimen adherence (χ² = 91.94, p < 0.05), and foot care practices (χ² = 85.51, p < 0.05). Conclusions: A significant relationship was found between depression and the clinical course of diabetic foot. Routine psychological screening and the inclusion of educational interventions are recommended to enhance comprehensive care for this patient population.