Preventing Foot Infections in People With Diabetes

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Risk factors for foot infections in individuals with diabetes, by L.A. Lavery and colleagues. Diabetes Care 29:1288–1293, 2006.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Foot wounds are highly common in people with diabetes, often leading to amputation.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to figure out what factors, such as trauma or presence of peripheral vascular disease (a condition where the vessels that carry blood to the legs, arms, stomach, or kidneys are clogged), were mostly likely to lead to foot infection in people with diabetes.

Who was studied?

Over 1,500 patients with diabetes from two large health care groups in south Texas.

How was the study done?

The patients were screened for risk factors known to lead to foot infection and then followed for about two years to see what problems, if any, they developed.

What did the researchers find?

A total of 151 patients, or 9.1% of the overall study group, had 199 foot infections. The researchers thought this was a very high amount. Having a foot wound was by far the biggest risk factor for developing a foot infection. Patients who had deep wounds and a greater overall number of wounds were the most likely to require amputation. Having peripheral vascular disease was another major risk factor for infection.

What were the limitations of the study?

For the most part, the researchers only obtained deep tissue cultures from the more severe wounds. Therefore, they didn't have much data on what kinds of harmful bacteria were at the surface of the wounds.

The researchers did not always have complete clinical information, such as data on certain patients’ level of blood glucose control.

What are the implications of the study?

Foot infections are a very real risk for people with diabetes. Having a foot wound or peripheral vascular disease greatly increases the chance that someone with diabetes will develop a foot infection, which can lead to amputation. However, proper education on foot care can prevent many harmful complications from occurring.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Foot Care

Foot Complications

All About Peripheral Arterial Disease

101 Tips On Foot Care For People With Diabetes, 2nd Edition