Abstract:Objective To investigate the influencing factors of the recurrences of the healed diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs) in the elderly. Methods A total of 165 elderly patients cured of DFUs from Apirl 2011 to January 2016 were observed and followed up for 2 years after discharge from the hospital. According to whether they had recurrence, the subjects were divided into recurrence group and non-recurrence group, and the related factors that may affect recurrence were analyzed. SPSS statistics 19.0 was used to perform the statistical analysis. Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Non conditional logistic regression analysis was carried out for multiple factors. Results The recurrence rate was 30.91%(51/165). Univariate analysis showed that the recurrence of healed DFUs was associated with the disease course (≥60 d), smoking, type of foot disease (ischemic), Wagner classification (Ⅲ,Ⅳ), multidrug resistant infection, incomplete debridement, ankle-brachial index (<0.9), blood glucose (≥11.1 mmol/L), plasma viscosity (≥1.5 mPa·s), serum albumin (<30 g/L), and glycosylated hemoglobin (≥8%). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Non logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for the recurrence of healed DFUs included smoking [OR=2.836,5%CI 1.050-7.661; P=0.040], ischaemic diabetic foot [OR=9.796, 95%CI 2.794-34.351; P=0.000], Wagner scores (Ⅲ,Ⅳ )[OR=4.426,5%CI 1.665-11.760; P=0.003], multidrug resistant infections [OR=2.756,5%CI 1.011-7.515; P=0.048], ≥8% glycosylated hemoglobin [OR=6.366,5%CI 2.362-17.157; P=0.000], and plasma viscosity ≥1.5 mPa·s [OR=3.699,5%CI 1.332-10.269; P=0.012]. Conclusion The recurrences of the healed DFUs could be effectively reduced by thorough evaluation, classification, and grading of the patient′s condition (both general and local), early diagnosis, early debridement and drainage, effective control of blood glucose, rational use of antimicrobial agents, anticoa-gulant therapy, and effective correction of ischaemia.