Malnutrition and its relation with diabetic foot ulcer severity and outcome: a review

'Nutrition has everything to do with wound healing'-health professionals' perceptions of assessment and management of nutrition in individuals with diabetes-related foot ulceration

Determine how healthcare professionals perceive their role in nutrition assessment and management, and explore barriers and enablers to assessment and management of nutrition in individuals with DFU. Mixed methods including a cross-sectional online survey derived from current international guidelines and theoretical domains framework, and semi-structured interviews with conventional content analysis was performed. One hundred and ninety-one participants completed the survey, with 19 participating in interviews. Many health professionals are not confident in their ability in this area of practice, are uncertain their nutrition advice or management will be effective in assisting wound healing outcomes and are uncertain their intervention would result in adequate behaviour change by the individual with DFU. Major barriers to implementation of nutrition assessment and management were: inadequate time, lack of knowledge and lack of clinical guidance and enablers were as follows: professional development, a standardised clinical pathway and screening tool and a resource addressing wound healing and diabetes management. Nutrition assessment and management in individuals with DFU is not consistently applied. Whilst health professionals believed nutrition was important for wound healing, they lacked confidence in implementing into their practice. Further dissemination of existing guidance and implementation of education programs and resources would help overcome cited barriers.

Evidence-based interventions for identifying candidate quality indicators to assess quality of care in diabetic foot clinics: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Foot ulcers in people with diabetes are a serious complication requiring a complex management and have a high societal impact. Quality monitoring systems to optimize diabetic foot care exist, but a formal and more evidence-based approach to develop quality indicators (QIs) is lacking. We aimed to identify a set of candidate indicators for diabetic foot care by adopting an evidence-based methodology.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted across four academic databases: PubMed, Embase CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Studies that reported evidence-based interventions related to organization or delivery of diabetic foot care were searched. Data from the eligible studies were summarized and used to formulate process and structure indicators. The evidence for each candidate QI was described in a methodical and transparent manner. The review process was reported according to the "Preferred Reported Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis" (PRISMA) statements and its extension for scoping reviews.

RESULTS

In total, 981 full-text articles were screened, and 322 clinical studies were used to formulate 42 candidate QIs.

CONCLUSIONS

An evidence-based approach could be used to select candidate indicators for diabetic foot ulcer care, relating to the following domains: wound healing interventions, peripheral artery disease, offloading, secondary prevention, and interventions related to organization of care. In a further step, the feasibility of the identified set of indicators will be assessed by a multidisciplinary panel of diabetic foot care stakeholders.

A multidisciplinary Delphi consensus to define evidence-based quality indicators for diabetic foot ulcer care

BACKGROUND

Valid measures to assess quality of care delivered to patients with diabetes suffering from diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) are scarce. This study aimed to achieve consensus on relevant and feasible quality indicators (QIs) among stakeholders involved in DFU care and was conducted as the second part of a Belgian QI selection study that sought to identify QIs for DFU care.

METHODS

A stakeholder panel, including caregivers from primary care and specialized disciplines active in diabetic foot care as well as a patient organization representative, was recruited. By using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, stakeholders were asked to rate a list of 42 candidate evidence-based indicators for appropriateness through a 9-point Likert scale. QIs were classified based on the median ratings and the disagreement index, calculated by the inter-percentile range adjusted for symmetry.

RESULTS

At the end of a three-phase process, 17 QIs were judged as appropriate. Among them, five were not previously described, covering the following topics: integration of wound care specialty in the multidisciplinary team, systematic evaluation of the nutritional status of the patient, administration of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol lowering medication and protocolized care (implementation of care and prevention management protocols).

CONCLUSIONS

The identified evidence-based QIs provide an assessment tool to evaluate and monitor quality of care delivered to DFU patients. Future research should focus on their complementarity with the existing QIs and their implementation in clinical practice.

Association between controlling nutritional status score and chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the association between controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The data on demographic characteristics, physical examination, lifestyle behaviors, comorbidities, medicine use, laboratory values, and energy were extracted. Nutritional status was assessed using CONUT score, and patients were divided into normal nutrition group and malnutrition group. Association between CONUT score and CKD in T2DM patients was assessed using logistic regression analysis, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Subgroup analysis based on age, body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetic retinopathy, and hyperlipidemia was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 4581 patients were finally included for analysis. In the adjusted model, high CONUT score was found to be associated with the high odds of CKD (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.05-1.56). Also, high CONUT score was associated with the high odds of CKD in T2DM patients with age ≥ 65 years, with BMI < 25 kg/m2, with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, without CVD, without diabetic retinopathy, with hyperlipidemia, or without hyperlipidemia (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition was associated with the high odds of CKD in T2DM patients, indicating that actively monitoring the nutritional status is important for the management of CKD in T2DM patients.

Risk factor analysis for diabetic foot ulcer-related amputation including Controlling Nutritional Status score and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio

Diabetic foot ulcer often leads to amputation, and both nutritional status and immune function have been associated with this process. We aimed to investigate the risk factors of diabetic ulcer-related amputation including the Controlling Nutritional Status score and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio biomarker. We evaluated data from hospital in patients with diabetic foot ulcer, performing univariate and multivariate analyses to screen for high-risk factors and Kaplan-Meier analysis to correlate high-risk factors with amputation-free survival. Overall, 389 patients underwent 247 amputations over the follow-up period. After correction to relevant variables, we identified five independent risk factors for diabetic ulcer-related amputation: ulcer severity, ulcer site, peripheral arterial disease, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and nutritional status. Amputation-free survival was lower for the moderate-to-severe versus mild cases, for the plantar forefoot versus hindfoot location, for the concomitant peripheral artery disease versus without and in the high versus low neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (all p < 0.01). The results showed that ulcer severity (p < 0.01), ulcer site (p < 0.01), peripheral artery disease (p < 0.01), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.01) and Controlling Nutritional Status score (p < 0.05) were independent risk factors for amputation in diabetic foot ulcer patients and have predictive values for diabetic foot ulcer progression to amputation.

Most individuals with diabetes-related foot ulceration do not meet dietary consensus guidelines for wound healing

The inaugural expert consensus and guidance for Nutrition Interventions in Adults with Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) have been welcomed by clinicians internationally. This short report aimed to determine how the macronutrient and micronutrient status of individuals living with DFU compared to the American Limb Preservation Society Nutrition Interventions in Adults with DFU expert consensus and guidance. Descriptive analysis was conducted as a secondary analysis of an existing dataset. Mean (SD) dietary intake, the proportion meeting the nutrition recommendations and the proportion exceeding the upper limit (UL) for specific vitamins and minerals were reported. Most individuals with DFU do not meet current consensus guidelines for optimal dietary intake for wound healing, with inadequacies evident for fibre, zinc, protein, vitamin E and vitamin A. Future iterations of the consensus guideline should consider using evidence-informed recommendations for clinical practice, with the inclusion of all nutrients that are essential for wound healing in DFU.

Pilot Study on the Relationship between Malnutrition and Grip Strength with Prognosis in Diabetic Foot

Sarcopenia and malnutrition have been associated in the elderly population with a poor prognosis in wound healing and with other adverse events, such as institutionalization or functional impairment. However, it is not known how these factors influence the prognosis of diabetic foot in the elderly. To answer this question, a prospective observational study of 45 patients over 65 years of age admitted with diagnoses of diabetic foot in a tertiary hospital has been conducted. All patients were assessed at admission and at 3 months after returning home to determine quality of life, pain, mobility and healing, overall hospital stay in relation to the presence of malnutrition (measured by BMI, CIPA scale and analytical parameters at admission of serum proteins and albumin), and sarcopenia measured by grip force, among other geriatric syndromes. The results found a relationship between altered sarcopenia and more pain and poorer quality of life, and altered BMI was related to a lower cure rate and worse mobility at follow-up. This study seems to indicate that, in the elderly population with diabetic foot, malnutrition and sarcopenia should be managed at the same time as the treatment of the diabetic foot itself.

Can Nutrition Contribute to a Reduction in Sarcopenia, Frailty, and Comorbidities in a Super-Aged Society?

Many countries are facing the advent of super-aging societies, where sarcopenia and frailty will become pertinent problems. The prevalence of comorbidities is a major problem in countries with aged populations as elderly people suffer from various diseases, such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and dementia. All of these diseases are associated with sarcopenia and frailty, and they frequently cause falls, fractures, and a decline in activities of daily living. Fractures in the elderly people are associated with bone fragility, which is influenced by diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Nutritional support for chronic disease patients and sarcopenic individuals with adequate energy and protein intake, vitamin D supplementation, blood glucose level management for individuals with diabetes, obesity prevention, nutritional education for healthy individuals, and the enlightenment of society could be crucial to solve the health-related problems in super-aging societies.

Venous, Arterial, and Neuropathic Leg Ulcers With Emphasis on the Geriatric Population

Leg ulcers are a common and often serious problem in older adults. Underlying conditions that increase risk include age-related increases in chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral artery disease, connective tissue and autoimmune conditions, reduced mobility, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Geriatric patients have a higher risk of multiple wound-related complications including infection, cellulitis, ischemia, and gangrene, any of which may lead to further complications including amputation. The very presence of these lower extremity ulcers in the elderly negatively impacts their quality of life and ability to function. Understanding and early identification of the underlying conditions and wound features are important for effective ulcer healing and complication mitigation. This targeted review focuses on the three most common types of lower extremity ulcers: venous, arterial, and neuropathic. The goal of this paper is to characterize and discuss the general and specific aspects of these lower extremity ulcers and their relevancy and impact on the geriatric population. The top five main results of this study can be summarized as follows. (1) Venous ulcers, caused by inflammatory processes secondary to venous reflux and hypertension, are the most common chronic leg ulcer in the geriatric population. (2) Arterial-ischemic ulcers are mainly due to lower extremity vascular disease, which itself tends to increase with increasing age setting the stage for an age-related increase in leg ulcers. (3) Persons with DM are at increased risk of developing foot ulcers mainly due to neuropathy and localized ischemia, both of which tend to increase with advancing age. (4) In geriatric patients with leg ulcers, it is important to rule out vasculitis or malignancy as causes. (5) Treatment is best made on a case-by-case basis, considering the patient's underlying condition, comorbidities, overall health status, and life expectancy.

Factors influencing diabetes-related foot ulcer healing in Australian adults: A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU) is a common limb-threatening condition, which is complex and subsequently challenging to manage. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of a range of clinical and social factors to the healing of diabetes-related foot ulceration in an Australian population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of individuals with diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU). Age, sex, medical history, medications, dietary supplementation (e.g. vitamin C intake) and smoking history were elicited at baseline. The index of relative socio-economic disadvantage (IRSD) was calculated. The Australian Eating Survey and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short were administered. Wound history, size, grade, time to healing and infection were captured and monitored over 6 months. Logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between healing and diet quality, toe systolic pressure, wound size at, IRSD, infection and previous amputation.

RESULTS

A total of 117 participants were included. The majority were male n = 96 (82%), socio-economically disadvantaged (mean IRSD 965, SD 60), and obese (BMI 36 kg/m² , SD 11) with a long history of diabetes (20 years, SD 11). Wounds were predominantly neuropathic (n = 85, 73%) and classified 1A (n = 63, 54%) on the University of Texas wound classification system with few infections (n = 23, 16%). Dietary supplementation was associated with 4.36 increased odds of healing (95% 1.28-14.84, p = 0.02), and greater levels of socio-economic advantage were also associated with increased odds of healing (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.02, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort study of predominantly neuropathic, non-infected DFU, individuals who had greater levels of socio-economic advantage had significantly greater odds of DFU healing. Diet quality was poor in most participants, with individuals taking supplementation significantly more likely to heal.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of lower extremity amputation in the diabetic inpatients with foot ulcers

OBJECTIVES

To analyze clinical characteristics of the diabetic inpatients with foot ulcers and explore the risk factors of lower extremity amputation (LEA) in West China Hospital of Sichuan University.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed based on the clinical data of the patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) hospitalized in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2020. The DFU patients were divided into three groups: non-amputation, minor amputation, and major amputation groups. The ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for LEA.

RESULTS

992 diabetic patients (622 males and 370 females) with DFU were hospitalized in the Diabetic Foot Care Center of Sichuan University. Among them, 72 (7.3%) (55 minor amputations and 17 major amputations) cases experienced amputation, and 21(2.1%) refused amputation. Excluding the patients who refused amputation, the mean age and duration of diabetes of and HbA1c the 971 patients with DFU, were 65.1 ± 12.3 years old, 11.1 ± 7.6 years, and 8.6 ± 2.3% respectively. The patients in the major amputation group were older and had longer course of diabetes for a longer period of time than those in the non-amputation and minor amputation groups. Compared with the non-amputation patients (55.1%), more patients with amputation (minor amputation (63.5%) and major amputation (88.2%)) suffered from peripheral arterial disease (P=0.019). The amputated patients had statistically lower hemoglobin, serum albumin and ankle brachial index (ABI), but higher white blood cell, platelet counts, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein levels. The patients with amputation had a higher incidence of osteomyelitis (P = 0.006), foot gangrene (P < 0.001), and a history of prior amputations (P < 0.001) than those without amputation. Furthermore, a history of prior amputation (odds ratio 10.194; 95% CI, 2.646-39.279; P=0.001), foot gangrene (odds ratio 6.466; 95% CI, 1.576-26.539; P=0.010) and ABI (odds ratio 0.791; 95% CI, 0.639-0.980; P = 0.032) were significantly associated with LEAs.

CONCLUSIONS

The DFU inpatients with amputation were older with long duration of diabetes, poorly glycemic control, malnutrition, PAD, severe foot ulcers with infection. A history of prior amputation, foot gangrene and a low ABI level were the independent predictors of LEA. Multidisciplinary intervention for DFU is essential to avoid amputation of the diabetic patients with foot ulcer.

Nutritional supplementation on wound healing in diabetic foot: What is known and what is new?

Non-healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are the most notable and striking complications of diabetes mellitus. More than 25% of nonhealing DFU can ultimately lead to amputation of the lower extremity within 6-18 mo after the first manifestation of the wound. Although wound healing is complex, nutritional status is crucial in soft tissue repair. Malnutrition is highly prevalent and overlooked in patients with diabetes and chronic wounds. Moreover, to date, we do not have clear recommendations or evidence about the use of nutritional supplements for improving wound healing in patients with DFU. In this article the authors briefly analyzed the current evidence on the use of nutritional supplements of proteins or amino acids, fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins, and trace elements in the wound healing process in patients with DFU.

Perceptions of Diet Quality, Advice, and Dietary Interventions in Individuals with Diabetes-Related Foot Ulceration; A Qualitative Research Study

BACKGROUND

Dietary intake is a recognised contributor to healing in diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU). However, it is currently unknown how individuals with DFU perceive their diet, and what is deemed an acceptable dietary intervention. Therefore, the aims of this study were to explore perceptions of diet quality, previous dietary advice, and dietary interventions in individuals with DFU, and secondly to determine acceptable dietary interventions in individuals with DFU to assist with wound healing.

METHODS

A qualitative study using reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken. Individuals with active or recent history of DFU were recruited from a high-risk foot service. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken.

RESULTS

Nineteen participants were included with three themes identified: A complex relationship with food, perceptions of food, diet and dietitians, and self-management. Dietary misconceptions were common. Self-perceived diet quality varied, with most unaware of how diet could impact wound healing. Many expressed barriers relating to food agency (purchasing, preparing, and accessing food). Participants expressed a strong preference for personalised, face-to-face dietary advice and nutritional supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for personalised dietary re-education and assistance with food agency in this cohort to overcome commonly held misconceptions of diet and improve dietary intake to facilitate wound healing.

Re-understanding and focusing on normoalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has grown up to be an important issue of global public health because of its high incidence rate. About 25% of DM patients can develop diabetic foot/ulcers (DF/DFU). Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the main cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). DF/DFU and DKD are serious complications of DM. Therefore, early diagnosis and timely prevention and treatment of DF/DFU and DKD are essential for the progress of DM. The clinical diagnosis and staging of DKD are mostly based on the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and EGFR. However, clinically, DKD patients show normoalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease (NADKD) instead of clinical proteinuria. The old NADKD concept is no longer suitable and should be updated accordingly with the redefinition of normal proteinuria by NKF/FDA. Based on the relevant guidelines of DM and CKD and combined with the current situation of clinical research, the review described NADKD from the aspects of epidemiology, pathological mechanism, clinical characteristics, biomarkers, disease diagnosis, and the relationship with DF/DFU to arouse the new understanding of NADKD in the medical profession and pay attention to it.

Significance of nutrition in hemodialysis patients with peripheral arterial disease evaluated by skin perfusion pressure

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a serious complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Low skin perfusion pressure (SPP) is a useful marker for detecting PAD. Malnutrition is an important cause of intractable complications. We examined the relationship between low SPP and various indicators of nutritional status.

Methods

A total of 120 patients on maintenance HD were enrolled for SPP measurement. SPP was measured at the soles of both feet during HD, and patients were divided into low SPP (L-SPP) and normal SPP (N-SPP) groups by 50 mmHg. The following values were determined by averaging four blood samples taken before SPP measurements every 3 months for one year: hemoglobin, total protein, albumin (Alb), total cholesterol, urea nitrogen, creatinine (Cr), potassium, calcium, phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone, iron (Fe), transferrin saturation (T-SAT), and C-reactive protein (CRP). We calculated the percent Cr production rate, dialysis index (Kt/V), normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and estimated salt intake using the required formulas. In addition, the age, body mass index, and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) were compared between both groups along with all other measurements. Data were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation or median with interquartile range as appropriate. Differences in continuous variables between the two groups were analyzed by Student’s t-test or Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test, as appropriate. Multivariate logistic analysis and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis were performed for significant variables. The results were expressed as odds ratios with respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The enrolled patients were 82 men and 38 women, with a mean age of 66.9 ± 13.3 years and HD duration of 4.76 (2.13–12.28) years (median interquartile range). Twenty patients belonged to the L-SPP group, suggesting PAD. Comparison between the L-SPP and N-SPP groups showed significant differences in age, Cr, Fe, T-SAT, CRP, nPCR, GNRI, DM, and estimated salt intake. When the GNRI, estimated salt intake, CRP, and DM were applied as independent variables for multiple logistic regression analysis, the GNRI (odds ratio: 0.857, 95% CI 0.781–0.941, p = 0.001), CRP (2.406, 1.051–3.980, p = 0.035), and DM (9.194, 2.497–33.853, p = 0.001) were found to be significant for L-SPP, and a cutoff level of 92.1 (sensitivity 80%, specificity 72%, AUC: 0.742, 95% CI 0.626–0.858, p = 0.001) in the GNRI obtained by ROC was consistent with the risk index in the elderly presented previously.

Conclusions

SPP measurement is an essential tool for detecting high-risk PAD in maintenance HD, which is affected by malnutrition, DM, and inflammation. The GNRI is important for the determination of malnutrition.

Geographic and Age Variations in Low Body Mass Index Among Community-Dwelling Older People in Xinjiang: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Studies have shown an association between undernutrition and increased adverse outcome, as well as substantial geographic and age variations in undernutrition. Body mass index (BMI), a core indicator of undernutrition, is easy to measure and reflects the nutritional and health status of the human body. It is a simple and suitable tool for epidemiological investigations in large sample populations. Herein, we provide the first description of geographic and age variations in the prevalence of low BMI among community-dwelling older people in Xinjiang.

Methods: From January 2019 to December 2019, using a multi-stage random sampling method, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological survey of the community-dwelling older people in Xinjiang at different latitudes. Of the 87,000 participants, the statistical analyses included 86,514 participants with complete data.

Results: In Xinjiang, the prevalence of low BMI was 7.7% in the community-dwelling older people. The BMI gradually decreased with increasing age and gradually increased with latitude. The prevalence of low BMI in northern Xinjiang was 5.3%, which was significantly lower than that in eastern (7.7%) and southern (9.3%) Xinjiang. In the 60–69-, 70–79-, 80–89-, and ≥90-year age groups, the prevalence rates of low BMI were 5.8, 7.9, 10.0, and 13.9%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors (sex, ethnic group, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipemia, smoking, and drinking), multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratios (95% CI) for low BMI in eastern and southern Xinjiang were 1.165 (1.056–1.285) and 1.400 (1.274–1.538), respectively, compared to northern Xinjiang. The adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for low BMI in the 70–79-, 80–89-, and ≥90-year age groups were 1.511 (1.39–1.635), 2.233 (2.030–2.456), and 3.003 (2.439–3.696), respectively, compared to the 60–69-year age group.

Conclusion: The results of this study revealed geographic and age variations in the prevalence of low BMI in the community-dwelling older people in Xinjiang. The prevalence of low BMI gradually increased as the latitude decreased and as age increased.

Non-vascular contributing factors of diabetic foot ulcer severity in national referral hospital of Indonesia

PURPOSE

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common chronic complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Indonesia, with a prevalence of 7.3%. However, the characteristics of these patients remain unclear. We investigated the characteristics of patients with DFU without peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and analyzed non-vascular factors related to severity of DFU in a tertiary care national referral hospital in Indonesia.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study including 123 hemodynamically stable DFU patients without PAD recruited from Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia from 2010-2015.

RESULTS

DFU patients were predominantly over 50 years old (75.6%) and diagnosed with T2DM for 5 years with poor glycemic control (82.7%) and peripheral neuropathy (91.3%). Most patients had anemia (86.7%), leukocytosis (84.6%), and were undernourished, as characterized by a low lipid profile (90.8%) and hypoalbuminemia (83.7%). Most had extensive size of ulcer at the initial visit, with a median size of 16.23 (2.92-60.16) cm2. Ulcers were mostly located of the forefoot (62.5%) and were caused by mechanical trauma (46.2%). Bivariate analysis revealed that significant factors for the development of DFU were related to DFU size, including duration of T2DM (p = 0.04), leukocyte levels (p =  < 0.01), and thrombocyte levels (p =  < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed leucocyte (p = 0.03) and thrombocyte (p = 0.023) had significantly correlated with DFU severity.

CONCLUSION

Leucocyte and thrombocyte may be the greatest contributing non-vascular factors for severity of DFU in Indonesia.

Malnutrition according to the 2018 GLIM criteria is highly prevalent in people with a diabetic foot ulcer but does not affect outcome

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition in people admitted for a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and to assess the relationship between malnutrition and DFU severity and outcome.

METHODS

This prospective, observational cohort study included individuals consecutively admitted for a DFU between July 2016 and September 2019. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria determined the prevalence of malnutrition. The SINBAD score reflected DFU severity. Outcome was evaluated at discharge and at 6 months. The independent contribution of nutritional status on DFU severity and outcome was investigated using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were included. Malnutrition, as defined by the GLIM criteria, was diagnosed in 26 cases; malnutrition was moderate in 9 and severe in 17. DFU severity differed significantly between subjects with malnutrition versus without malnutrition (SINBAD: 3.85 vs. 3.81, p = 0.012). Logistic regression analysis showed that severe malnutrition (p = 0.015) and hemoglobin level (p = 0.003) were independently linked to DFU severity. At 6-month follow-up, 39 DFU were healed, 36 patients had undergone an amputation (32 minor, 4 major) and 8 had died. No differences were noted in outcome at discharge or at 6 months according to nutritional status.

CONCLUSIONS

In 24% of patients, malnutrition was diagnosed. Severely malnourished individuals presented with more severe ulcers. However, malnutrition had no impact on the short-term outcome of a DFU.