Abstract
Objective: To assess the factors associated with 12-week wound healing status in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU).
Methodology: This prospective analytical study was conducted at the Wound Care Unit of Erbil International Hospital, Iraq, from July 2024 to April 2025. A total of 90 adult patients with DFUs were consecutively enrolled and followed for 12 weeks. Baseline diabetes-related and ulcer characteristics were assessed through patient interviews, clinical examinations, and medical record reviews. Ulcers were classified as neuropathic, ischemic, or neuro-ischemic. All patients received standardized multidisciplinary wound care. Associations between baseline characteristics and healing status were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Out of 90 patients, 71 (78.9%) achieved complete wound healing within 12 weeks, while 19 (21.1%) remained unhealed. Healing status was significantly associated with diabetes type (p=0.024), diabetes duration (p=0.034), DFU type (p=0.009), previous amputation (p=0.006), and ulcer depth (p=0.021).
Conclusion: Most patients achieved complete healing within 12 weeks. Diabetes-related characteristics and ulcer severity were associated with healing outcomes, highlighting the importance of comprehensive assessment and multidisciplinary wound management.

Key words: Diabetic foot ulcer, wound healing, diabetes mellitus, ulcer depth, neuropathic ulcer, neuro-ischemic ulcer.