Association between the development of diabetic foot and serum fetuin‑A levels

INTRODUCTION Fetuin‑A is a glycoprotein secreted from hepatocytes, which affects diabetes and peripheral arterial disease. However, there has been no studies regarding the relation between diabetic foot and fetuin‑A levels.
OBJECTIVES We aimed to analyze the association between diabetic foot development and serum fetuin‑A levels.
PATIENTS AND METHODS Following the approval of the local ethical board, 137 patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups: diabetes group (n = 49), diabetic foot group (n = 57), and control group (n = 31). In all patients, serum fetuin‑A, C‑reactive protein, magnesium, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured. Diabetic foot wounds were classified according to the Wagner classification and lower extremity arteries were evaluated by ultrasonography.
RESULTS Median fetuin‑A levels in patients with diabetic foot were significantly higher than in those with diabetes. However, the differences in HbA1c levels between both groups were not statistically significant. A positive correlation was found between the Wagner classification and ultrasound evaluation of the peripheral arteries (degree of atherosclerosis) in patients with diabetic foot. In the diabetic foot group, fetuin‑A levels were also found to be positively correlated with ultrasound evaluation.
CONCLUSIONS We observed a positive correlation between serum fetuin‑A levels and the development of diabetic foot.