PREVENTING MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT ULCERATIONS

People with diabetes and a history of foot ulcerations are more likely to die than undergo amputation during six years of follow up, studies in Scotland show. Approximately, 1/4 patients with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer. 70% of diabetic foot ulcerations remain unhealed after 20 weeks of treatment, 60% of them become infected and 20% result in amputations. Avoiding unnecessary amputations has been the primary goal of managing the diabetic foot - the main focus is restoration of tissue perfusion and infection control.

Some preventative measures that should be included in medical practices include:

-  Screening with a random glucose determination of new patients and at least every 2 months in regularly seen 

- Referring patients to have elevated glucose levels 

- Identifying patients with diabetes who have neuropathy

- Providing advice to patients with diabetes regarding appropriate footwear

- Identifying areas with high pressure build up and offloading

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News