Diabetic Foot Research Articles

Refrigerated amniotic membrane maintains its therapeutic qualities for 48 hours

During wound healing, the migration of keratinocytes is critical for wound closure. The application of amniotic membrane (AM) on wounds with challenging contexts (e.g., chronification and diabetic foot ulcer) has proven very successful. However, the use of AM for clinical practice has several restraints when applied to patients; the most important restriction is preserving AM’s therapeutic properties between its thawing and application onto the patient’s wound. Moreover, AM collection and processing requires a cleanroom, together with specialized staff and equipment, and facilities that are not usually available in many hospitals and healthcare units. In this publication, we kept previously cryopreserved AM at different temperatures (37°C, 20°C, and 4°C) in different media (DMEM high glucose and saline solution with or without human albumin) and for long incubation time periods after thawing (24 h and 48 h). HaCaT keratinocytes and TGF-β1-chronified HaCaT keratinocytes were used to measure several parameters related to wound healing: migration, cell cycle arrest rescue, and the expression of key genes and migration-related proteins. Our findings indicate that AM kept in physiological saline solution at 4°C for 24 h or 48 h performed excellently in promoting HaCaT cell migration compared to AM that had been immediately thawed (0 h). Indeed, key proteins, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun, were induced by AM at 4°C in saline solution. Similarly, cell proliferation and different genes related to survival, inflammation, and senescence had, in all cases, the same response as to standard AM. These data suggest that the handling method in saline solution at 4°C does not interfere with AM’s therapeutic properties.

Topical Reconstituted High-Density Lipoproteins Elicit Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Diabetic Wounds.

Objective: Reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDL) improve wound healing in diabetes. We aimed to determine if rHDL elicit anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic wounds, as a mechanism to explain their wound healing benefits. Approach: Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin in C57Bl6/J mice. Two full-thickness wounds were placed on the subflanks of diabetic and nondiabetic (ND) mice. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or rHDL (50 µg/wound/day) were applied topically. Wound closure was assessed daily. Inflammatory gene transcripts were measured by qPCR and proteins by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in wounds collected at baseline, 24 h, and 3 days postwounding. Wound macrophages were assessed by flow cytometry 7 days postwounding. The fate of fluorescent 3,3-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine, perchlorate (DiO)-labeled rHDL was tracked by flow cytometry, fluorescent imaging, and microscopy. Results: In diabetic mice, rHDL increased wound closure rates at days 6 (+288%, p < 0.01) and 7 (+639%, p < 0.0001) postwounding, compared with PBS controls. After 3 days, rHDL-treated diabetic wounds had lower Rela (-65%) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2) (-59%) mRNA levels and CCL2 protein (29%) than PBS controls, p < 0.05 for all. Wound macrophage content was higher in diabetic than ND wounds, but rHDL did not change macrophage content or polarity. DiO-rHDL were taken up by key wound cells including fibroblasts, macrophages, keratinocytes and endothelial cells, and retained in wounds for at least 48 h. Innovation: rHDL exerts anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic wounds early postwounding, which may contribute to its wound healing properties. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory properties of rHDL in diabetic wounds present topical rHDL as a novel treatment option for improving healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcer - A Case Report

Due to sedentary lifestyle of today, diabetes mellitus is becoming a common illness. One of the complications of diabetes mellitus, the primary cause of lower limb amputations, is diabetic foot ulcers. It affects 15% of all diabetes mellitus patients and occurs before lower limb amputation in 84% of people with diabetic foot ulcers. Controlling blood sugar levels, debridement, improved dressings, and offloading techniques are all necessary for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Acharya Sushruta has listed sixty different forms of treatment in the Ayurvedic literature. He has placed particular emphasis on Vranashodhana and Ropana. Blood sugar management with Arogyavardhini Vati, wound debridement and appropriate wound care are all part of the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. It took a month for the ulcer to fully heal, and throughout that time, the patient's ability to carry out daily tasks improved. The Ayurvedic treatment that was implemented has shown encouraging outcomes in the management of diabetic foot ulcer. It is imperative to conduct more randomised controlled trials in this area of study.

Clinical Effects of Thread-Dragging Therapy on Gangrene of Non-ischemic Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

To investigate the clinical effects of thread-dragging therapy on gangrene of non-ischemic diabetic foot ulcers (NIDFU). A total of 136 patients with NIDFU were recruited from the Department of Peripheral Vascular Surgery, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between June 21, 2021 and February 1, 2023, and randomized into an intervention group and a control group, with 68 cases in each group. Both groups received basic treatment. The intervention group was treated with thread-dragging therapy, while the control group was treated with debridement combined with routine dressing changes after surgery. Both groups were treated continuously for 2 months. The amputation rates and changes in the ulcer area were compared between the groups. The inflammatory response index including peripheral white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophil percentage (NEUT%), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were compared between the two groups. After treatment, the ulcer areas in the intervention group were significantly smaller than that of the control group (8.50±3.88 cm2 vs. 10.11±4.61 cm2, P<0.05). The amputation rates of the two groups were not statistically significant (4.4% vs. 5.9%, P>0.05). Differences of WBCs count, CRP, and ESR before and after therapy in the intervention group were better than the control group (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in changes of NEUT%, PCT, and IL-6 between the two groups (P>0.05). Thread-dragging therapy may be effective in the treatment of NIDFU, with the additional advantages of less tissue damage after healing. (Registration No. ChiCTR2100047496).

Transcriptomics Revealed Differentially Expressed Transcription Factors and MicroRNAs in Human Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Non-healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) not only significantly increase morbidity and mortality but also cost a lot and drain healthcare resources. Persistent inflammation, decreased angiogenesis, and altered extracellular matrix remodeling contribute to delayed healing or non-healing. Recent studies suggest an increasing trend of DFUs in diabetes patients, and non-healing DFYs increase the incidence of amputation. Despite the current treatment with offloading, dressing, antibiotics use, and oxygen therapy, the risk of amputation persists. Thus, there is a need to understand the molecular and cellular factors regulating healing in DFUs. The ongoing research based on proteomics and transcriptomics has predicted multiple potential targets, but there is no definitive therapy to enhance healing in chronic DFUs. Increased or decreased expression of various proteins encoded by genes, whose expression transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally is regulated by transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRs), regulates DFU healing. For this study, RNA sequencing was conducted on 20 DFU samples of ulcer tissue and non-ulcerated nearby healthy tissues. The IPA analysis revealed various activated and inhibited transcription factors and microRNAs. Further network analysis revealed interactions between the TFs and miRs and the molecular targets of these TFs and miRs. The analysis revealed 30 differentially expressed transcription factors (21 activated and 9 inhibited), two translational regulators (RPSA and EIF4G2), and seven miRs, including mir-486, mir-324, mir-23, mir-186, mir-210, mir-199, and mir-338 in upstream regulators (p &lt; 0.05), while causal network analysis (p &lt; 0.05) revealed 28 differentially expressed TFs (19 activated and 9 inhibited), two translational regulators (RPSA and EIF4G2), and five miRs including mir-155, mir-486, mir-324, mir-210, and mir-1225. The protein–protein interaction analysis revealed the interaction of various novel proteins with the proteins involved in regulating DFU pathogenesis and healing. The results of this study highlight many activated and inhibited novel TFs and miRs not reported in the literature so far, as well as the targeted molecules. Since proteins are the functional units during biological processes, alteration of gene expression may result in different proteoforms and protein species, making the wound microenvironment a complex protein interaction (proteome complexity). Thus, investigating the effects of these TFs and miRs on protein expression using proteomics and combining these results with transcriptomics will help advance research on DFU healing and delineate potential therapeutic strategies.

Investigating Nonadherence in an Integrated Diabetic Limb Salvage Programme: Reasons, Associated Factors, and Impacts on Care Outcomes.

Adherence to treatment plans is crucial for patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) to achieve positive outcomes. With limited understanding of nonadherence and its impacts on care outcomes, this study aimed to explore the reasons and factors associated with nonadherence in an integrated diabetic limb salvage (DLS) programme and evaluate its effects on care outcomes. This study included 2798 DFU patients who were enrolled in an integrated DLS programme across multiple institutions in central and northern Singapore from 2020 to 2021. Reasons for nonadherence were obtained via telephone interviews. Factors associated with nonadherence were identified using multiple logistic regression. Differences in one-year outcomes, including minor and major lower extremity amputation (LEA), mortality, LEA-free survival, and healthcare utilisation between adherent and nonadherent patients, were examined based on a significance level of P < .05. Nonadherence was observed in 40.2% of patients, with higher rates among younger patients, Malays and Indians, and those with higher HbA1c levels. Patient-related factors were the most commonly reported reasons for missed appointments (50.4%). Compared to adherent patients, nonadherent patients exhibited a relatively higher minor LEA rate (13.0% vs 10.2%, OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.93, 1.51), lower mortality rate (8.6% vs18.1%, OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.65), higher overall LEA-free survival (76.4% vs 71.1%, OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.53), and more hospitalisations (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.33) and emergency visits (IRR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.39). While nonadherent patients showed relatively higher minor LEA rates and more healthcare utilisation, they also exhibited lower mortality and higher LEA-free survival. This suggests that nonadherence in this population may be associated with complex patient characteristics and behaviours that warrant further investigation to tailor interventions effectively.

Study of Etiopathological Factors, Clinical Parameters and Culture Sensitivity of Patients Suffering from Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Study of Etiopathological Factors, Clinical Parameters and Culture Sensitivity of Patients Suffering from Diabetic Foot Ulcer

A Review of Foot pressure Measurement of Diabetic and Analysis Patients

Peripheral neuropathy, the main risk factor for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), causes loss of protective feeling and is linked to very high plantar pressures. The goal of DFU preventive techniques is to lower these elevated plantar pressures. However, there are a number of limitations to the evidence that supports the connection between plantar pressure and DFUs, which could account for the poor prediction accuracy found in prospective studies. Most research measures the vertical, as opposed to the shear, barefoot plantar pressure in lab settings as opposed to in real-world activities. Previous DFU location-specific pressure was not well studied. Prior research has mostly concentrated on walking; however activity tracking studies indicate that more time is spent on other weight-bearing tasks, when a longer duration of lower "peak" plantar pressure may be applied. This suggests that a measure of the cumulative pressure applied over time might be more pertinent than peak pressure, however more investigation is required. Further research is needed, however studies have shown that delivering pressure feedback may lessen plantar pressures. This is an emerging potential use of smart technology. To increase our knowledge of the pressures that lead to DFUs and the efficacy of therapies, more pressure assessments pertaining to location-specific pressures pertaining to all weight-bearing activities are needed.

New insights into the role of cellular senescence and chronic wounds

Chronic or non-healing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), venous leg ulcers (VLUs), pressure ulcers (PUs) and wounds in the elderly etc., impose significant biological, social, and financial burdens on patients and their families. Despite ongoing efforts, effective treatments for these wounds remain elusive, costing the United States over US$25 billion annually. The wound healing process is notably slower in the elderly, partly due to cellular senescence, which plays a complex role in wound repair. High glucose levels, reactive oxygen species, and persistent inflammation are key factors that induce cellular senescence, contributing to chronic wound failure. This suggests that cellular senescence may not only drive age-related phenotypes and pathology but also be a key mediator of the decreased capacity for trauma repair. This review analyzes four aspects: characteristics of cellular senescence; cytotoxic stressors and related signaling pathways; the relationship between cellular senescence and typical chronic non-healing wounds; and current and future treatment strategies. In theory, anti-aging therapy may influence the process of chronic wound healing. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. This review summarizes the relationship between cellular senescence and chronic wound healing to contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of chronic wound healing.

Screening for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Subjective Versus Objective Measures.

This study compared subjective screening modalities recommended in diabetic foot screening guidelines for the detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with an objective measure, the NC-Stat DPNCheck®. We assessed 63 participants (mean age 54.5 years ± 10.5) utilising subjective screening tools (Semmes-Weinstein 10-g monofilament, 128-Hz traditional tuning fork, neurothesiometer, O'Brien 128-Hz electronic tuning fork) and compared results with the objective automated sural nerve conduction test NC-Stat DPNCheck®. A significant difference was found in the number of limbs classified with DPN between all screening tools (P < .05). Therefore, this suggests that some screening modalities are more sensitive in diagnosing DPN than others, highlighting the importance of using multiple screening tools to a comprehensive understanding of the patient's neurological status. The findings also emphasize the need to incorporate objective measures in diabetic foot screening and encourage future research to establish a gold standard tool for DPN diagnosis.

Efficacy of Cytoreg in the treatment of diabetic foot disease.

Complications from diabetic foot wounds, including bacterial infection, ulceration and gangrene, are major causes of hospitalisation and are responsible for 85% of amputations in patients with diabetes. Given that orally administered investigational therapeutic Cytoreg (Cytorex de Venezuela SA, Venezuela), a defined aqueous mixture of hydrofluoric, hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, citric and oxalic acids, has been shown to increase levels of arterial blood oxygen in a Wistar rat model, oral and oral+topical Cytoreg were tested on patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) under a humanitarian, compassionate-use protocol. All patients received oral Cytoreg (5.0 ml concentrate in fruit juice) for 30 days; half also received weekly wound washing with Cytoreg concentrate in isotonic saline (1:50 volume/volume) (oral+topical group). In addition to standard clinical observations, wounds were monitored against the Saint Elian checklist system for the diabetic foot. A total of 10 patients took part in the study. Complete wound closure was observed in 4/5 patients in the oral+topical group; in the remaining patient, necrotic and fibrin tissues on the wound edges were eliminated. Half (2/4) of the patients receiving oral-only Cytoreg experienced complete wound closure; one patient in this group was removed prematurely because of an unrelated illness and was not replaced. During the study, no significant differences were observed between groups in either the oxygen saturation of the affected tissues or in insulin and glycaemia levels (p<0.05). Significant increases in arterial haemoglobin and arterial oxygen partial pressure (p<0.05) were observed, and significant decreases were measured in the levels of glycosylated haemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, creatine and urea (p<0.05). The results of this study justify an expanded clinical study for the treatment of DFUs with Cytoreg.

Temporal and regional trends in Canada for the epidemiology and management of diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a common downstream consequence of diabetes and pose significant concern to the health of affected individuals. There are currently limited data available that detail the epidemiology and inpatient burden of DFUs in Canada. This study aims to provide updated data on the epidemiological and economic burden of DFUs in Canada between 2015 and 2019. Using the Canadian Institute for Health Information Patient Cost Estimator the authors estimated, as the primary outcome, the number of DFU inpatient cases in Canada, the associated financial burden of these admissions on the Canadian healthcare system, physician compensation, and average patient length of hospitalisation. This analysis covered 12 Canadian jurisdictions and was stratified by age, sex, province and geographical region. The secondary outcome was to highlight temporal trends in the public health burden of DFUs by computing the average annual percentage change (AAPC; the weighted average of several annual percentage changes over multiple years) using Joinpoint (Surveillance Research Program National Cancer Institute, US) regression analysis. The total number of cases, average length of hospitalisation and physician costs across Canada were highest for patients over ≥60 years of age. By region, the total number of cases and standardised physician costs were highest in Central Canada, followed by Western Canada, and subsequently Eastern and Northern Canada. In 2019, there were >1800 patients with DFUs admitted to Canadian acute care hospitals. Despite having the lowest number of inpatient admissions, Northern Canada had the highest associated inpatient costs, followed by Central, then Western and, lastly, Eastern Canada. Overall, mean inpatient costs remained stable over time across all age groups (AAPC 0.61; 95% confidence interval: -1.87-3.15), with an average cost of >$10,000 CAD per case. Average physician cost across all jurisdictions was approximately $1000 CAD per case, with the mean hospitalisation time being nine days. The findings of this study emphasise the dynamic nature of the economic and epidemiological DFU burden in Canada, underscoring the need for targeted interventions, multidisciplinary care and evidence-based resource allocation for the optimal management of diabetes and DFUs.

Evaluation of Antibiotic-Loaded Bone Cement in Treatment of Infected Diabetic Foot: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common and complex complication in patients with diabetes mellitus. The study of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for the treatment of infected diabetic foot is limited. We aimed to assess the efficacy of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for the treatment of infected diabetic foot. The MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Knowledge databases were systematically searched up to May 2023 with no language restrictions. We assessed eligible studies for the efficacy of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for the treatment of infected diabetic foot. The standard mean differences (SMDs) or the risk ratios (RRs) were calculated for continuous or dichotomous data, respectively. Data were analysed using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0 software. Nine articles with 565 patients were analysed in our meta-analysis. The wound healing time in ABC group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (SMD=-1.64, 95% CI -2.27 to -1.02 p<0.00001, I2=88%). The ABC group had a significantly decreased number of debridements (SMD=-2.47, 95% CI -4.24 to -0.70, p<0.00001, I2=95%). The pooled data showed no significant difference (RR=0.41, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.39, p=0.84, I2=0%). This is the first meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for the treatment of infected diabetic foot. Antibiotic-loaded bone cement treatment significantly shortened the wound healing time and reduced the number of debridements without increasing the incidence of complications. PROSPERO CRD42023406017.

The Potential Impact of SGLT2-I in Diabetic Foot Prevention: Promising Pathophysiologic Implications, State of the Art, and Future Perspectives—A Narrative Review

The impact of diabetic foot (DF) on the healthcare system represents a major public health problem, leading to a considerable clinical and economic burden. The factors contributing to DF’s development and progression are strongly interconnected, including metabolic causes, neuropathy, arteriopathy, and inflammatory changes. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i), novel oral hypoglycemic drugs used as an adjunct to standard treatment, have recently changed the pharmacological management of diabetes. Nevertheless, data about the risk of limb amputation, discordant and limited to canagliflozin, which is currently avoided in the case of peripheral artery disease, have potentially discouraged the design of specific studies targeting DF. There is good evidence for the single immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and beneficial vascular effects of SGLT2-i. Still, there is no clinical evidence about the early use of SGLT2-i in diabetic foot due to the lack of longitudinal and prospective studies proving the effect of these drugs without confounders. This narrative review aims to discuss the main evidence about the impact of SGLT2-i on the three complications of diabetes implicated in the development of DF, the state of the art, and the potential future implications.

Factors associated with quality of life and functional capacity in patients with diabetic foot in the Dominican Republic

Factors associated with quality of life and functional capacity in patients with diabetic foot in the Dominican Republic

Predictors of Successful Antibiotic Treatment of Osteomyelitis in Diabetic Forefoot Infection.

Osteomyelitis (OM) associated with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is a growing public health challenge worldwide. Since 2012 the number of patients presenting with DFU per year to our centre has doubled. This study aims to evaluate outcomes from outpatient antibiotic therapy (OPAT) in the management of OM in DFU patients. A retrospective analysis was performed of medical notes, radiology, and vascular laboratory reports for all DFU patients with OM treated from April 2016 to April 2020. Variables analyzed included age, gender, site of OM, WIfI Score (Wound Ischaemia and foot Infection Score), probe-to-bone test (PTB), imaging (X-ray/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), co-morbidities (peripheral arterial disease (PAD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension (HTN), smoking, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and dyslipidaemia. Outcomes evaluated were healing, recurrent DFU, and freedom from amputation at 12months. 185 patients were admitted with 264 infected digits (Male 223; Female 41). The mean age was 66years. Only 168 (63.6%) were fully healed at 12months. Of the 96 patients who failed to heal, 43 underwent a repeat course of prolonged antibiotics without improvement. Factors associated with treatment failure were PAD, poorly controlled HbA1c and Deep or Extensive Ulcer or Gangrene. Extended outpatient antibiotic therapy (with an inpatient multidisciplinary approach) is an effective treatment for digital OM in DFU with a success rate of 63%. In recurrence, repeating prolonged antibiotics is unlikely to achieve healing. PAD, poorly controlled HbA1c and Deep or Extensive Ulcer or Gangrene are predictors of treatment failure.

Retraction: “Heterometallic coordination polymers: Treatment activity on diabetic foot by reducing the excess inflammatory response in the plantar tissue”

Retraction: “Heterometallic coordination polymers: Treatment activity on diabetic foot by reducing the excess inflammatory response in the plantar tissue”

The short- and long-term results of therapy of surgical diabetic foot patients

Introduction. The arterial limb threating is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations in diabetic foot patients. The breakthrough in the treatment of this group of patients was the widespread introduction of transluminal balloon angioplasty (TLBA) of the arteries of the lower extremities.Aim. To evaluate the results of the surgical treatment of the patients with diabetic neuro ischemic foot syndrome according the data of Government Center of Limb Salvation in 2022–2023 years.Materials and methods. The study presents a retrospective analysis of medical documentations and the results of a survey one year after discharge from the hospital of 180 patients.Results. The arterial limb threating is observed in equal frequency in both men with diabetes and women at a relatively young age (66.0 ± 12.8 years). The glycemic control in most patients is above the target values. Various groups of sugar-lowering drugs are widely used. More than a third of patients with CKD suffer from CKD with GFR less than 60 ml/min, however inSGLT-2 are used in slightly more than 15% of cases. The damages of the lower extremities arteries below the knee are observed in the most of cases. Every third patient has the occlusion/hemodynamically significant stenosis of the femoral and tibia arteries. The method of choosing revascularization is TLBA the lower extremities arteries without stenting, hybrid operations are performed in up to 10% of cases in the hospital. During the first year of follow up the 21.2% of the patients have recurrences of the ischemic tissue lesions of the feet including revascularization. The recurrences of the ischemic tissue lesions of the feet after surgical approach are revealed in 9% cases only. There are TLBA in all other cases. The mortality rate is 9.6 cases per 100 patients per year.Conclusion. The patients after revascularization for the neuro-ischemic diabetic foot tissue loss and limb salvage remain at high risk of both mortality and recurrence of arterial limb threating in the early and delayed follow up.

Analysis of Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has become a prevalent disease, imposing a significant burden on public health due to its widespread occurrence and association with numerous disabilities and fatalities. Uncontrolled DM can lead to severe metabolic complications and long-term vascular issues, including microangiopathy and macroangiopathy. Additionally, individuals with DM are highly susceptible to foot infections, which can escalate into gangrene if not properly managed. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the risk factors for diabetic foot ulcers in patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus at the Hospital Infatil e Maternidade Jardim Amalia Methods: The research employed an analytical survey method with a case-control study design. Purposive sampling was utilized to select a total of 134 participants, comprising 67 individuals in the case group (those with diabetic foot ulcers) and 67 in the control group (those without diabetic foot ulcers). Data collection was conducted using a structured questionnaire, and the results were analyzed using the Odds Ratio (OR) test to identify significant risk factors. Findings: The findings of the study indicated that age is a risk factor for developing diabetic foot ulcers in patients with Type II DM, with an OR of 3.15 (95% CI: 0.43-17.216). The duration of diabetes also emerged as a significant risk factor, with an OR of 3.13 (95% CI: 0.62-14.12). Furthermore, foot care practices were identified as a crucial risk factor, with an OR of 4.13 (95% CI: 0.72-12.45). Conclusion: this study demonstrates that age, the length of time a patient has had diabetes, and their foot care routines are significant risk factors for the development of diabetic foot ulcers in patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus at Hospital Infatil e Maternidade Jardim Amalia. These findings underscore the importance of early intervention and targeted patient education to mitigate these risks and improve patient outcome

Risk factors related to amputation in diabetic foot patients: single center outcomes

Aim: This study aimed at identifying factors that worsen the prognosis of diabetic foot, one of the most common complications seen in patients with diabetes. Materials and patients: The sample included 230 patients treated in the Department of Surgery at Kaspela University Hospital in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, between January 2016 and May 2022. Of them, 55.65% were men, and 44.35% were women. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 77 years, with a mean age of 44.4±14.7 years. Results: Diabetic foot patients of grade ≥4 were 1.8 times more likely to be amputated than the rest of the patients (AOR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.504, 4.683). The utilization of inappropriate antibiotics was associated with a 9.47-fold increased risk of amputation (p&amp;lt;0.001). Subsequently, type 2 DM was found to have a 3.63-fold higher risk (p=0.002), poor glycemic control posed a 3-fold increased risk (p&amp;lt;0.001), a body mass index (BMI) greater than 29.5 was linked to a 2.66-fold raised risk (p=0.011), neuropathy was associated with a 2-fold increased risk (p=0.017), and alcohol consumption was linked to a 1.96-fold higher risk (p=0.024). Conclusion: Our results contribute to clinical practice by identifying risk factors that should be considered in the early monitoring and education of patients with diabetes who are at risk for developing diabetic foot. To minimize the risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers, it is critical to optimize antibiotic therapy and prioritize the advantages of adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes making informed dietary choices, weight management for reducing hyperglycemia, and refraining from harmful behaviors such as alcohol consumption.