'SMART MAT' PREDICTS 97% OF RECURRENT DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS

posted: Jun. 22, 2017.

 

 

 

 

A novel wireless foot-temperature–monitoring system (Podimetrics) aimed at detecting impending diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) through plantar temperature change is highly predictive of recurrent DFUs, according to new findings from a multicenter, prospective, cohort study in a high-risk population. The temperature-monitoring mat was able to correctly detect 97% of impending non-traumatic DFUs in patients who had had prior ulcers.

 

Dr. Robert Frykberg and Podiometrics

 

 

"We showed that (by) using this wireless mat and an algorithm that detects temperature rise over several days, it is possible to detect development of an ulcer 5 weeks in advance," reported Robert Frykberg, DPM, podiatrist at Phoenix VA Healthcare System, Arizona, and lead investigator of the study that was published May 2 in Diabetes Care. However, although there was a high rate of detection of ulcers, this was accompanied by a high false-positive rate of 57%, the authors note, adding that the protocol might need to be tweaked to try to reduce this.

 

Source: Becky McCall, Medscape News [5/10/17]

 

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PMP News.  

 

Brought to you by Doctor John A. Hardy, owner of Toront's Foot Clinic, Academy Foot and orthotic Clinics.