[Multidisciplinary management of diabetic foot ulcer infection]

Comprehensive review on diabetic foot ulcers and neuropathy: Treatment, prevention and management

Diabetic foot (DF) is a major public health concern. As evident from numerous previous studies, supervision of DF ulcer (DFU) is crucial, and a specific quality check-up is needed. Patients should be educated about glycaemic management, DFUs, foot lesions, proper care for injuries, diet, and surgery. Certain reasonably priced treatments, such as hyperbaric oxygen and vacuum-assisted closure therapy, are also available for DFUs, along with modern wound care products and techniques. Nonetheless, DF care (cleaning, applying antimicrobial cream when wounded, and foot reflexology), blood glucose monitoring to control diabetes, and monthly or quarterly examinations in individuals with diabetes are effective in managing DFUs. Between 50% and 80% of DF infections are preventable. Regardless of the intensity of the lesion, it needs to be treated carefully and checked daily during infection. Tissue regeneration can be aided by cleaning, dressing, and application of topical medicines. The choice of shoes is also important because it affects blood circulation and nerve impulses. In general, regular check-ups, monitoring of the patient's condition, measuring blood glucose levels, and providing frequent guidance regarding DFU care are crucial. Finally, this important clinical problem requires involvement of multiple professionals to properly manage it.

Updating Wound Care Algorithms: A Systematic, Focused Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this project was to update the underlying evidence base for basic wound care in the Solutions Wound Care Algorithms and revise this resource as needed.

METHODS

The 14 major algorithm goals, guidelines, and outcomes of patient care and 34 detailed qualifying assessment and management statements/steps were reconstructed to encompass 21 qualifying statements/steps and aligned with their most recent (2013) levels of evidence. Next, a systematic, focused review of the literature was conducted to update the evidence levels using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

An English language search of CINAHL, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) electronic databases was conducted for the years 2015-2023. For each wound type, the following search terms were used: meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized controlled trial, clinical practice guideline, clinical trial, and wound care/healing and dressings. Publications not focused on the patient population or qualifying statements were excluded.

FINDINGS

The search retrieved 59 elements that met the predetermined criteria for analysis and leveling. All qualifying statements and steps remain evidence-based. Higher quality evidence became available for nutritional status assessment, exercise to reduce risk factors for various types of lower extremity ulcers, using tap water to cleanse wounds; that delayed wound healing may be a sign of infection, and that silver-containing dressings are effective when used appropriately. No basic patient and wound care steps have the highest level of evidence (level 1) and strength of recommendation (A).

CONCLUSION

Compared to previous updates, we found fewer clinical trials indicating a need for research to improve evidence levels for various steps of basic wound assessment and care processes.

Application of Continuous Care Pattern Based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model in out-of-Hospital Rehabilitation of Diabetic Foot Ulceration Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of information-motivation-behavioral skills model (IMB)-based continuous nursing model on the out-of-hospital rehabilitation of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) patients, and to provide a theoretical basis for long-term disease management of DFU patients.

METHODS

A total of 88 patients with DFU admitted to our Hospital were included in this prospective study. The patients were divided into control and study groups using the random number table method, with 44 cases in each group. Patients in the study group received both routine care and IMB-based continuing care, and the control group received only routine care.

RESULTS

At week 1, FBS, PBG (2 h) and HbA1c were significantly decreased in the study group compared with that in the control group (P < .05). At week 3 and 6, blood glucose indicators were significantly improved in both groups compared with week 1 (P < .05). In additional, the number of non-infected patients at week 1 and week 3 in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < .05). At week 3, the number of cured patients was significantly higher in the study group than that in the control group (P < .05). And the area of ulcer healing in the study group was significantly larger than that in the control group at week 1 and week 3 (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the continuous nursing mode based on IMB can help DFU patients manage blood glucose level, reduce wound infection, and accelerate wound healing, which is worthy of wide clinical application and promotion.

Association between DASH and novel atherogenic risk factors, anthropometric indices and foot ulcer indicators in type 2 diabetic patients with foot ulcer: a cross-sectional study

Purpose

Diabetes can cause nerve damage, vascular issues, and reduced blood flow to organs such as the feet, leading to foot deformities and ulcers due to high glucose levels. A healthy dietary pattern like DASH can improve insulin sensitivity and weight loss. Due to limited data and rare evidence, our study aims to investigate the relationship between DASH diet adherence and anthropometric, cardiovascular, and foot ulcer indicators.

Methods

The study included 339 diabetic patients with foot ulcers (122 females and 217 males). The study gathered data on patient dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, biochemistry, foot ulcers, and novel atherogenic risk factors per international definitions.

Results

The average BMI of the participants was 29.2 ± 5.0, 28.1 ± 4.3, and 28.2 ± 4.2 in the tertiles of DASH index (P-value: 0.18). By increasing the adherence to the DASH index, the monofilament score did not change significantly OR: 1.47; CI: (0.81-2.67). Also, foot ulcer area did not change significantly between DASH tertiles OR: 1.01; CI: (0.56-1.83). Atherogenic risk factors also decreased among the DASH tertiles, but statistically not significant.

Conclusion

DASH adherence did not change neuropathy score and cholindex and cardiovascular risk factors significantly and has no significant effect on foot ulcer size.

Effect of Percutaneous Endovascular Angioplasty Combined with Negative Pressure Drainage on the "One-Stop" Treatment of Ischemic Diabetic Foot Ulcer

BACKGROUND

To explore the therapeutic effect, safety, and economic benefit of a "one-stop" diagnosis and treatment mode of vascular surgery for ischemic diabetic foot (DF) ulcer and to analyze the associated and independent factors that affect ulcer healing.

METHODS

In a prospective, single-center study, patients with ischemic DF ulcers from January 2017 to July 2021 were treated with either percutaneous endovascular angioplasty combined with negative pressure closed drainage (PTA-VSD) or percutaneous endovascular angioplasty combined with depuration (PTA-UD). The effectiveness and economic benefits of the 2 measures were compared, and independent factors affecting ulcer healing were explored via univariate and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Fifty patients with ischemic DF ulcer (25 patients in the PTA-VSD group and 25 patients in the PTA-UD group; 40 males and 10 females) were included, with an average age of 67.74 ± 10.71 years. No difference was observed in the demographic data. The findings showed that the ulcer healing time in the PTA-VSD group was significantly shorter than that in the PTA-UD group (154.79 vs. 238.31 days), and the ulcer healing rate at 180 days post surgery was significantly greater in the PTA-VSD group (52% vs. 12%) (P = 0.002, < 0.05). The ulcer score in the PTA-VSD group decreased significantly at 3, 6, and 12 months post surgery. The duration of hospitalization in the PTA-VSD group was greater (P = 0.002, <0.05), but no significant difference in hospitalization frequency and cost was observed between the 2 groups. During follow-up, there was 1 death and 1 amputation in the PTA-UD group, but no death or amputation in the PTA-VSD group. Arterial occlusion was primarily located in the femoral-popliteal artery and the inferior knee artery in the 2 groups, and PTA intervention effectively opened the outflow tract of the affected limb. Two to three outflow tracts were opened in 41 patients. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) after surgery was significantly higher in both groups than before. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the Wagner grade and number of outflow channels and therapies (PTA-VSD) could be independent factors affecting ulcer healing.

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of DF ulcers is an important factor affecting the quality of life of patients. A multidisciplinary "one-stop" treatment strategy based on percutaneous endovascular angioplasty combined with negative pressure-sealing drainage can rapidly and effectively restore the blood flow to the affected limb and promote ulcer healing without increasing medical costs.

Advances in traditional Chinese medicine as adjuvant therapy for diabetic foot

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex disease that often causes multiple systemic complications that have become a major international public health problem. Diabetic foot (DF) is one of the severe and frequent chronic complications of DM due to vascular lesions and neuropathy. DF ulcers (DFU) affect approximately 15% of people with DM and are the leading cause of death and disability. The prevalence and recurrence of DF are worrisome, and morbidity and mortality are also on the rise, which poses a substantial socioeconomic burden. Treating DF is difficult for clinicians and requires multidisciplinary cooperation, combining local and systemic therapy to reduce amputation and case-fatality rates. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has received extensive attention due to noticeable therapeutic effects and few adverse reactions. In recent years, research on DF treatment by TCM has been increasing, and further progress has been made. TCM includes oral medication, injectable preparations, and adjuvant therapy. This article reviews the relevant research on TCM-related adjuvant therapy for DF. We describe current progress in TCM in terms of external application, acupuncture, massage, acupoint injection, foot bath, fumigation, and moxibustion, as well as the mechanisms involved.