Effects of wear and tear of therapeutic footwear in patients remission. A 5-year follow-up study

Abstract

AimsTo assesses the relationship between the wear and tear of therapeutic footwear (TF) and the risk of recurrence in diabetes remission patients. MethodsRemission patients (N = 115) participated in this 5-year prospective study in a specialized Diabetic Foot Unit between October 2016 and January 2022. Patients’ TF was assessed in a three-month interval from Day 0 until ulcer recurrence was found. Primary outcome measure was based on the recurrent event in the forefoot. ResultsA total of 82 patients (71.3%) renewed their TF, and 33 patients (28.7%) did not renew their TF during the follow-up period. Patients who failed to renew their TF group experienced more recurrent events (22 vs 14, p <.001, CI [0.04–0.259]) and minor amputations (11 vs 8, p =.002, CI [0.07–0.6]). Both groups showed different recurrence-free survival median times of 205.5 [Interquartile range (IQR) – 188–222] weeks and 89.9 [IQR – 53–126] weeks. Patients who did not renew their TF increased their risk of suffering from a recurrent event in the Cox regression model (p <.001, CI [0.03–0.38], Hazzard Ratio 0.147). ConclusionsPatients who renewed their TF because of wear and tear experienced lower recurrences and minor amputations.