Jan Apelqvist

The global burden of diabetic foot disease

Diabetic foot problems are common throughout the world, resulting in major economic consequences for the patients, their families, and society. Foot ulcers are more likely to be of neuropathic origin, and therefore eminently preventable, in developing countries, which will experience the greatest rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the next 20 years. People at greatest risk of ulceration can easily be identified by careful clinical examination of the feet: education and frequent follow-up is indicated for these patients. When assessing the economic effects of diabetic foot disease, it is important to remember that rates of recurrence of foot ulcers are very high, being greater than 50% after 3 years. Costing should therefore include not only the immediate ulcer episode, but also social services, home care, and subsequent ulcer episodes. A broader view of total resource use should include some estimate of quality of life and the final outcome. An integrated care approach with regular screening and education of patients at risk requires low expenditure and has the potential to reduce the cost of health care.

High prevalence of ischaemia, infection and serious comorbidity in patients with diabetic foot disease in Europe. Baseline results from the Eurodiale study

Aims/hypothesisLarge clinical studies describing the typical clinical presentation of diabetic foot ulcers are limited and most studies were performed in single centres with the possibility of selection of specific subgroups. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of diabetic patients with a foot ulcer in 14 European hospitals in ten countries.MethodsThe study population included 1,229 consecutive patients presenting with a new foot ulcer between 1 September 2003 and 1 October 2004. Standardised data on patient characteristics, as well as foot and ulcer characteristics, were obtained. Foot disease was categorised into four stages according to the presence or absence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and infection: A: PAD −, infection −; B: PAD −, infection +; C: PAD +, infection −; D: PAD +, infection +.ResultsPAD was diagnosed in 49% of the subjects, infection in 58%. The majority of ulcers (52%) were located on the non-plantar surface of the foot. With regard to severity, 24% had stage A, 27% had stage B, 18% had stage C and 31% had stage D foot disease. Patients in the latter group had a distinct profile: they were older, had more non-plantar ulcers, greater tissue loss and more serious comorbidity.Conclusions/interpretationAccording to our results in this European cohort, the severity of diabetic foot ulcers at presentation is greater than previously reported, as one-third had both PAD and infection. Non-plantar foot ulcers were more common than plantar ulcers, especially in patients with severe disease, and serious comorbidity increased significantly with increasing severity of foot disease. Further research is needed to obtain insight into the clinical outcome of these patients.

Long-term prognosis for diabetic patients with foot ulcers

Abstract. Objective. To evaluate the recurrence of foot ulcers as well as the cumulative amputation and mortality rates in diabetic patients with previous foot ulcers.

What is the most effective way to reduce incidence of amputation in the diabetic foot

Approximately 40–60% of all amputations of the lower extremity are performed in patients with diabetes. More than 85% of these amputations are precipitated by a foot ulcer deteriorating to deep infection or gangrene. The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers has been estimated to be 3–8%. The complexity of these ulcers necessitates a multifactorial approach in which aggressive management of infection and ischemia is of major importance. For the same reason, a process‐oriented approach in the evaluation of prevention and management of the diabetic foot is essential. Healing rates of foot ulcers are unknown with the exception of specialised centres where it is between 80–90%. The negative consequences of diabetic foot ulcers on quality of life include not only morbidity but also disability and premature mortality. Costs for healing ulcers are high and even higher for ulcers resulting in amputation, due to prolonged hospitalisation, rehabilitation, and need for home care and social service for disabled patients. Therefore, one of the most important steps to reduce cost in the management of the diabetic foot is to avoid amputations. A cost‐effective management should not only be focused on the short‐term cost until healing but also on the long‐term cost, since foot ulcer and especially amputation are related to increased re‐ulceration rate and lifelong disability. A multidisciplinary approach including preventive strategy, patient and staff education, and multifactorial treatment of foot ulcers has been reported to reduce the amputation rate by more than 50%. Copyright

Decreasing incidence of major amputation in diabetic patients: a consequence of a multidisciplinary foot care team approach?

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the changes in diabetes‐related lower extremity amputations following the implementation of a multidisciplinary programme for prevention and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in a 0.2 million population with a 2.4 % prevalence of diabetes. All diabetes‐related primary amputations from toe to hip from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1993 were included. In 294 diabetic patients, 387 primary major (above the ankle) or minor (through or below the ankle) amputations were performed, constituting 48 % of all lower extremity amputations. The annual number of amputations at all levels decreased from 38 to 21, equalling a decrease of incidence from 19.1 to 9.4/100 000 inhabitants (p = 0.001). The incidence of major amputations decreased by 78% from 16/1 to 3.6/100 000 inhabitants (p<0.001). The absolute number of amputations with a final level below the ankle showed no increase, but their proportion increased from 28 to 53 % (p<0.001) and the reamputation rate decreased from 36 to 22 % (p<0.05) between the first and last 3‐year period. Thus, a substantial long‐term decrease in the incidence of major amputations was seen as well as a decrease in the total incidence of amputations in diabetic patients. Seventy‐one per cent of the amputations were precipitated by a foot ulcer. These findings indicate that a multidisciplinary approach plays an important role to reduce and maintain a low incidence of major amputations in diabetic patients

International consensus and practical guidelines on the management and the prevention of the diabetic foot

In 1999 the International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot was published by a group of independent experts. The consensus process is described in this article together with the Practical Guidelines which were part of the consensus document. Copyright

Practical guidelines on the management and prevention of the diabetic foot 2011

Foot complications are among the most serious and costly complications of diabetes mellitus. Amputation of the lower extremity or part of it is usually preceded by a foot ulcer. A strategy that includes prevention, patient and staff education, multidisciplinary treatment of foot ulcers, and close monitoring can reduce amputation rates by 49–85%. Therefore, several countries and organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation, have set goals to reduce the rate of amputations by up to 50%. The basic principles of prevention and treatment described in these guidelines are based on the International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot. Depending on local circumstances, these principles have to be translated for local use, taking into account regional differences in socio-economics, accessibility to health care, and cultural factors. These practical guidelines are aimed at healthcare workers involved in the care of people with diabetes. For more details and information on treatment by specialists in foot care, the reader is referred to the International Consensus document.

Diabetic foot ulcers in a multidisciplinary setting An economic analysis of primary healing and healing with amputation

Abstract. Objectives. To perform an economic analysis of primary healing and healing with amputation in diabetic patients with foot ulcers.

Health-related quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus and foot ulcers

To investigate health-related quality of life (HRQL) in diabetes patients separately for those with current foot ulcers, those with primary healed ulcers, and those who have undergone minor or major amputations. The EuroQol quality of life (QoL) questionnaire including a visual analogue scale (VAS) was sent to 457 patients treated for foot ulcers by a multidisciplinary team between 1995 and 1998. Patients who never had undergone any lower extremity amputation (LEA) were classified according to whether an ulcer was present at time of the survey or if they had healed primarily. Patients who had undergone any amputation were classified into a minor or a major amputation group according to their maximal amputation status. Patient characteristics and ulcer status at time of the survey were collected using patient records and pre-set forms used to follow-up of foot ulcer patients specifically. A response rate of 70% was obtained. Completion rates on single items were high. There were no differences in patient characteristics between respondents and non-respondents. Patients with current foot ulcers rated their HRQL significantly lower than patients who had healed primarily without amputation. Major amputation reduced the EuroQol index value, while the VAS value was reduced by other diabetic complications and increased by living with a healthy partner. Both values were reduced by a current foot ulcer. EuroQol can be used to investigate HRQL in diabetic patients with foot complications. Patients with current foot ulcers value their QoL lower than primary healed patients. QoL is reduced after major amputations.

A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to enhance the healing of chronic ulcers of the foot in diabetes

The outcome of management of diabetic foot ulcers is poor and there is uncertainty concerning optimal approaches to management. We have undertaken a systematic review to identify interventions for which there is evidence of effectiveness. A search was made for reports of the effectiveness of interventions assessed in terms of healing, ulcer area or amputation in controlled clinical studies published prior to December 2006. Methodological quality of selected studies was independently assessed by two reviewers using Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria. Selected studies fell into the following categories: sharp debridement and larvae; antiseptics and dressings; chronic wound resection; hyperbaric oxygen (HBO); reduction of tissue oedema; skin grafts; electrical and magnetic stimulation and ultrasound. Heterogeneity of studies prevented pooled analysis of results. Of the 2251 papers identified, 60 were selected for grading following full text review. Some evidence was found to support hydrogels as desloughing agents and to suggest that a systemic (HBO) therapy may be effective. Topical negative pressure (TNP) may promote healing of post‐operative wounds, and resection of neuropathic plantar ulcers may be beneficial. More information was needed to confirm the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of these and other interventions. No data were found to justify the use of any other topically applied product or dressing, including those with antiseptic properties. Further evidence to substantiate the effect of interventions designed to enhance the healing of chronic ulcers is urgently needed. Until such evidence is available from robust trials, there is limited justification for the use of more expensive treatments and dressings. Copyright