ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological characteristics and predisposing causes of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in the hospitalized patients with diabetic foot disease (DFD).MethodsThe clinical data of patients with DFD admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 1st, 2012 and December 31st, 2018 were collected through the electronic medical record system. The demographic characteristics, blood glucose control status, and the predisposing causes of DFU were analyzed.ResultsA total of 1 022 DFD inpatients with an average age of (65.5±11.9) years old were included in this study, including 679 males and 343 females; 59.4% (513/864) of the patients had a college degree or above, but the patients with more severe DFD had lower educational level (χ2trend=19.554, P<0.001). The average time from diagnosis of diabetes mellitus to occurrence of DFD was (10.6±7.1) years, and 42.4% (433/1 022) of the patients had diabetes for over 10 years. Among the patients, 82.3% (841/1 022) treated diabetes irregularly, 56.2% (555/987) never monitored blood glucose, 51.2% (523/1 022) had a history of foot ulcers, and 8.6% (88/1 022) had a history of lower extremity or toe amputation. The average fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c were (8.6±3.8) mmol/L and (8.2±2.1)%, respectively. There were 52.2% (525/1 006) and 94.4% (958/1 015) of the DFD patients companied with peripheral arterial disease and neuropathy, respectively. DFUs were mainly single (52.7%, 447/849) and neuro-ischemic ulcers (53.0%, 389/734). The main predisposing causes were physical causes (21.6%, 180/834) and trauma (19.2%, 160/834).ConclusionsThe patients with DFD have the characteristics of old age, long course of diabetes, irregular treatment of diabetes and poor control of blood glucose, combined with neurovascular diseases, and high recurrence rate of foot ulcer. Therefore, diabetes education, early screening of foot risk factors, and early intervention should be strengthened to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of DFU.