Incidence and predictors of recurrent and other new diabetic foot ulcers: a retrospective cohort study

INDIFURUTO: A novel tool for assessing diabetic foot recurrence risk in type 2 diabetes

This study aimed to evaluate diabetic foot ulcer recurrence using the Indonesia Diabetic Foot Ulcer Recurrence Assessment Tool (INDIFURUTO), a new diabetic foot risk recurrence assessment tool. This study used a prospective cohort design. A total of thirty-three participants met the inclusion criteria. We used sensitivity, specificity values, AUC, and, respectively, a 95% confidence interval (CI) to calculate prognostic accuracy measures. The results showed that this study had an AUC of 0,97 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91-1.00]. The cut-off point (Youden Index) was <45, with sensitivity and specificity values of 100% and 90%, respectively. The utilization of this model can facilitate the monitoring and enhancement of foot ulcer recurrence prevention in individuals diagnosed with diabetes. This study showed that the new model had a high prediction. Therefore, this model better stratifies people at high risk of foot ulceration.

Endogenous Biological Drivers in Diabetic Lower Limb Wounds Recurrence: Hypothetical Reflections

An impaired healing response underlies diabetic foot wound chronicity, frequently translating to amputation, disability, and mortality. Diabetics suffer from underappreciated episodes of post-epithelization ulcer recurrence. Recurrence epidemiological data are alarmingly high, so the ulcer is considered in "remission" and not healed from the time it remains epithelialized. Recurrence may result from the combined effects of behavioral and endogenous biological factors. Although the damaging role of behavioral, clinical predisposing factors is undebatable, it still remains elusive in the identification of endogenous biological culprits that may prime the residual scar tissue for recurrence. Furthermore, the event of ulcer recurrence still waits for the identification of a molecular predictor. We propose that ulcer recurrence is deeply impinged by chronic hyperglycemia and its downstream biological effectors, which originate epigenetic drivers that enforce abnormal pathologic phenotypes to dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes as memory cells. Hyperglycemia-derived cytotoxic reactants accumulate and modify dermal proteins, reduce scar tissue mechanical tolerance, and disrupt fibroblast-secretory activity. Accordingly, the combination of epigenetic and local and systemic cytotoxic signalers induce the onset of "at-risk phenotypes" such as premature skin cell aging, dysmetabolism, inflammatory, pro-degradative, and oxidative programs that may ultimately converge to scar cell demise. Post-epithelialization recurrence rate data are missing in clinical studies of reputed ulcer healing therapies during follow-up periods. Intra-ulcer infiltration of epidermal growth factor exhibits the most consistent remission data with the lowest recurrences during 12-month follow-up. Recurrence data should be regarded as a valuable clinical endpoint during the investigational period for each emergent healing candidate.

Development and validation of a risk prediction model for the recurrence of foot ulcer in type 2 diabetes in China: A longitudinal cohort study based on a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

To develop and validate a risk prediction model for Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes with the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) based on a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A prospective analysis was performed with 1333 participants and followed up for 60 months. Three models were analysed using a derived cohort. The risk factors were screened using meta-analysis and logistic regression, and the missing variables were interpolated by multiple imputation. The internal validation was performed using the bootstrap procedure, and the validation cohort was applied to the external validation. The performance of the model was evaluated in the area under the discrimination Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC). Calibration and discrimination methods were used for the validation cohort. The variables were selected according to their clinical and statistical importance to construct the nomograms.

RESULTS

Three models were developed and validated. Model 1 included seven social and clinical indicators like sex, diabetes mellitus duration, previous DFU, location of ulcer, smoking, history of amputation, and foot deformity. Model 2 included four more indicators besides those in Model 1, which were statin agents used, antiplatelet agents used, systolic blood pressure, and body mass index. Model 3 added further laboratory indicators to Model 2, such as LDL-C, HbA1C, fibrinogen, and blood urea nitrogen. In the derivation cohort, 20.1% (206/1027) participants with DFU recurred as compared to the validation cohort, which was 38.2% (117/306). The areas under the curve in the derivation cohort for Models 1-3 were 0.781 (0.744-0.817), 0.843 (0.813-0.873), and 0.899 (0.876-0.922), respectively. The Youden indexes for Models 1-3 were 0.430, 0.559, and 0.653, respectively. Model 3 showed the highest sensitivity and specificity. All models performed well for both discrimination and calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

Models 1-2 were non-invasive, which indicate their role in general screening for patients at a high risk of recurrence of DFU. However, Model 3 offers a more specific screening due to its best performance in predicting the risk of DFU recurrence amongst the three models.

Effect of leukocyte-platelet fibrin-rich wound reconstruction followed by full-thickness skin grafting in the treatment of diabetic foot Wagner grade 4 ulcer gangrene (toe area)

This study investigated the effect of L-PRF on promoting full-thickness skin grafting for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer wounds and attempted to characterize the mechanism. In a retrospective study, we centrifugated 10-20 ml of venous blood at 1006.2 g for 20 min. The fibrin clot between the top oligocellular plasma layer and the bottom erythrocyte layer was extracted and directly used, without compression, to cover the wound after debridement. Patients who received L-PRF before skin grafting underwent surgery earlier than patients in the control group. Skin necrosis occurred in 7 patients (28%) in the L-PRF group and 16 (64%) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant, P < .05. The postoperative infection rate in the control group (56%) was significantly higher than that in the L-PRF group (24%), P < .05. During a mean follow-up of 1 year, ulcer recurrence occurred in 9 patients (36%) in the control group compared with 4 patients (16%) in the L-PRF group, P < .05. The final amputation rate was also higher in the control group (48%) than in the L-PRF group (20%). The difference is statistically significant, P < .05. The Maryland scale score and SF-36 score of the two groups of patients after treatment were significantly better than those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). The L-PRF group (94.80 ± 4.14) had better foot scores at the last follow-up after treatment than the control group (88.84 ± 5.22) (P < .05). The results showed that L-PRF played a positive role in the treatment of Wagner grade 4 ulcer gangrene with free full-thickness skin grafts.

Recurrent foot ulcers in patients with diabetes mellitus in out-patient care

OBJECTIVE. Relapses of diabetic foot ulcers are an urgent problem of outpatient surgery, however, risk factors for relapse, as well as the definition of relapse itself remain a subject of discussion. The presented study investigates the frequency of relapses of ulcerative foot defects in diabetes mellitus, the risk factors for their development and treatment outcomes, based on the definition of relapse as the development of a repeated defect in the same place as the healed defect.METHODS AND MATERIALS. The data of 1714 patients with foot ulcers (2213 ulcerative defects) from 01.2012 to 01.2017 were studied. Patients were divided into two groups: with relapses (n=239, 13.9%) and without them (n=1475). Risk factors for relapse, characteristics of patients and ulcerative defects, and treatment outcomes were evaluated.RESULTS. Relative risk for relapse: type 1 diabetes mellitus (1.36); Charcot foot (1.65); history of amputation of the great toe (1.35); severe polyneuropathy (1.25); neuropathic foot (1.37). Relapses/single ulcer (%): superficial lesion 72.8/63.3 (р<0.01); primary healing: 61.1/52.7 (p=0.025); healing after surgery (amputations excluded): 4.2/4.5 (ns); amputations: 7.1/6.6 (ns) of which major 5.9/20.6 (p=0.01); non-healing (%): 11.7/5.5 (р=0.001); loss of follow-up (%): 15.9/30.7 (р=0.0001). Median duration of the treatment (days) of relapses/single ulcer: conservative 147/114; healing after surgery (amputations excluded) 241/170; after amputation 286/182. Revascularization in relapses – 7 (100%), with single ulcers – 66 (59.5% of patients with critical ischemia).CONCLUSION. 5-years relapse rate was 13.9 %. Patients with Charcot foot, postoperative deformities and with neuropathic form of diabetic foot syndrome are more prone for foot reulceration. Recurrent ulcers are characterized with longer duration of the treatment however their primary healing rate is higher compared with single ulcer group. The results of the study were significantly influenced by the high frequency of loss of follow-up in both groups.

Role of Dipeptidyl Dipeptidase 4 Inhibitors in the Management of Diabetic Foot

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus face difficulties in wound healing. It is important to explore therapeutic options for diabetic complications such as ulcers. This study evaluates the role of dipeptidyl dipeptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in the management of diabetic foot. Methods: Literature search was conducted in electronic databases (Google Scholar, Ovid, PubMed, Science Direct, and Springer) and studies were selected for inclusion if they reported the incidence rate of diabetic foot ulcer during DPP4i treatment or evaluated the effect of DPP4i on wound healing. Incidence rates of foot ulcer, amputation and peripheral vascular disease were pooled to achieve overall estimates. Meta-analyses of odds ratios were performed to evaluate the risk of foot ulcer, amputation, and peripheral vascular disease with DPP4i, and to examine the effect of DPP4i treatment on ulcer healing. Results: Ten studies (532354 DPP4i and 2092010 non-DPP4i treated diabetes patients) were included. Incidence rates of foot ulcer, amputation, and peripheral vascular disease were 3.80 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 7.39], 0.82 [95%CI: 0.60, 1.05], and 22.33 [95%CI: 9.14, 35.53] per 1000 person-years respectively in patients treated with DPP4i and 3.60 [95%CI: 1.77, 5.39], 0.76 [95%CI: 0.58, 0.94], and 20.9 [95%CI: 16.04, 25.81] per 1000 person-years respectively in patients treated with non-DPP4i drugs. Risk of ulcer or amputation with DPP4i was not consistent across studies. Odds of non-healing of ulcer were significantly lower with DPP4i in comparison with controls (odds ratio: 0.27 [95%CI: 0.10, 0.71]; p = 0.008). Conclusion: Incidence rates of diabetic foot and amputation are found to be similar with DPP4i and non-DPP4i drugs. DPP4i improved wound healing of diabetic foot in 3-month randomized trials.

Factors Associated with Healing Outcomes in Primary Care Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Retrospective Study in a Multiethnic Sample

OBJECTIVE

To identify and determine patient- and ulcer-related factors associated with healing outcomes within 3 months for patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in a multiethnic primary care sample.

METHODS

Retrospective data were collected over 3 months from 520 primary care patients with a DFU between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017. Multivariable prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated using Poisson regression to find associations between patient- and ulcer-related factors and healing outcomes.

RESULTS

Most patients were male (66%) and Chinese (49.8%) and had a diabetes mellitus duration longer than 5 years (81.8%). Toe ulcers (64%) were most common. Healing occurred for 33.9% of participants; 19.1% and 1.5% underwent minor and major amputation, respectively. Wound sizes between 1 and 10 cm2 (PR, 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.76; P < .001) and over 10 cm2 (PR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.33-0.76; P = .003), ulcer duration 6 months or longer (PR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.19-0.53; P < .001), ischemic ulcers (PR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.22-0.86; P = .044), and neuroischemic ulcers (PR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.53-0.93; P = .027) were negatively associated with healing outcomes. Women were more likely to experience healing (PR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.91-1.45; P = .157).

CONCLUSIONS

Ulcer healing varied by sex and was affected by wound size, wound duration, and ischemic etiology, regardless of ethnicity. Prompt attention to these risk factors may reduce healing time. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanism underlying sex differences in association with DFU healing.

Wounds in chronic leg oedema

Wounds and chronic oedema are common disorders, but rarely studied together. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the point-prevalence and risk factors of wounds on the leg, in chronic leg oedema. Forty sites in nine countries were included. Of 7077 patients with chronic leg oedema, 12.70% had wounds. Independent risk factors were: peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio (OR) 4.87, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.63-6.52), cellulitis within the past 12 months (OR 2.69, 95% CI 2.25-3.21), secondary lymphoedema (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.93-3.60), being male (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.78-2.44), being over 85 years of age (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.23-2.62), underweight (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.14-2.79), bed bound (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.01-3.16), chair bound (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.18-1.97), diabetes (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.23-1.77), and walking with aid (OR 1·41, 95% CI 1.17-1.69). 43.22% of those with wounds had clinically defined well-controlled oedema, associated with a significantly lower risk of wounds (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.42-0.58, P < .001). Hard/fibrotic tissue (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.19-2.48), and a positive Stemmers sign (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.05-2.35) were associated with wounds. The study reinforces the importance of measures to control oedema, as controlled swelling was associated with a 50% lower risk of wounds.

Toward Machine-Learning-Based Decision Support in Diabetes Care: A Risk Stratification Study on Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Amputation

Diabetes mellitus is associated with serious complications, with foot ulcers and amputation of limbs among the most debilitating consequences of late diagnosis and treatment of foot ulcers. Thus, prediction and on-time treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are of great importance for improving and maintaining patients' quality of life and avoiding the consequent socio-economical burden of amputation. In this study, we use Danish national registry data to understand the risk factors of developing diabetic foot ulcers and amputation among patients with diabetes. We analyze the data of 246,705 patients with diabetes to assess some of the main risk factors for developing DFU/amputation. We study the socioeconomic information and past medical history of the patients. Factors, such as low family disposable income, cardiovascular disorders, peripheral artery, neuropathy, and chronic renal complications are among the important risk factors. Mental disorders and depression, albeit not as pronounced, still pose higher risks in comparison to the group of people without these complications. We further use machine learning techniques to assess the practical usefulness of such risk factors for predicting foot ulcers and amputation. Finally, we outline the limitations of working with registry data sources and explain potentials for combining additional public and private data sources in future applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the prediction of diabetic foot ulcers and amputation.

Cumulative long-term recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers in two cohorts from centres in Germany and the Czech Republic

AIMS

Our aim was to comprehensively estimate the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) recurrence and corresponding risk factors in two cohorts.

METHODS

Prospective data from patients with active DFU from two diabetes centres in Germany (GER, n = 222) and the Czech Republic (CZ, n = 99) were analysed. Crude cumulative incidences were obtained. Additionally, time to recurrence and risk factors were investigated using multivariate Cox models.

RESULTS

69%(154) of patients in GER and 70%(69) in CZ experienced at least one DFU recurrence; 25%(56) in DEU and 15%(15) in CZ died; 5%(11) and 9%(9) were lost to follow-up. The crude cumulative incidence in the first year was 28% in GER and 25% in CZ; 68%/70% within ten years, and 69%/70% in 15 years. In GER, renal replacement therapy was associated with shorter time to recurrence (HR = 3.71, 95%CI:1.26-10.87); no history of DFU before the index lesion with longer time to recurrence (HR = 0.62, 0.42-0.92). In CZ, type 2 diabetes (HR = 2.57, 1.18-5.62) and index ulcer treatment by minor amputation (HR = 2.11, 1.03-4.33) were associated with shorter time to recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulative DFU recurrence was approximately 70% in 15 years in both cohorts. We found a significantly higher risk of future recurrence in patients having a consecutive ulcer compared with the first ever ulcer.

Research on lower extremity health in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic scoping review

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) often affects ambulation and the function of the lower limbs. However, little is known about how much research has been conducted on lower extremity health in patients with MS.

Objective

To analyse empirical studies and their evidence on lower extremity health in patients with MS, in order to identify the need for future studies in key areas.

Methods

A systematic scoping review was conducted. A literature search of Medline (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCO) and the Cochrane Library databases was performed. The search covered the period up to 15 January 2020 from the earliest records available. This led to the inclusion of 42 empirical articles. The data were analysed using content analysis and quantification techniques.

Results

The research on lower extremity health focused primarily on two main areas: gait and lower extremity muscle strength. Lower extremity health was assessed using a variety of methods, most of which consisted of objective physical tests and gait analysis. Patients with MS had many problems with the health of their lower extremities, which manifested in walking difficulties, balance problems, muscle weaknesses and spasticity. In the feet, pes cavus, claw toes, oedema and altered foot sensation were common.

Conclusions

MS affects lower limb and foot health, and these problems can affect patients’ daily lives. However, the extent of these problems is poorly understood, partly due to the dearth of research on lower limb and foot health. Therefore, further research is warranted in order to better understand the impact of MS on foot and lower limb health in everyday life.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic wounds in nursing homes in Germany: A Cross-Sectional Study

The burdens caused by chronic wounds on the affected persons themselves and also on the health care system are well recognised. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of chronic wounds in German nursing homes. An annual cross-sectional study was conducted in nursing home residents from 2012 to 2018. The proportion of men affected by chronic wounds was to some extent higher than that of women, 9.0% males vs 7.5% females. In total, 7.8% of all residents were affected by chronic wounds. Of all residents with a chronic wound, 50.5% were affected by pressure ulcer. Male residents were twice as often affected by diabetic foot ulcer than female residents (18.0% vs 8.9%; P = 0.002). Bivariate analysis showed that chronic wounds were highly associated with poor nutrition, urinary incontinence, stool incontinence, diabetes mellitus, and limited mobility (P = 0.000). According to multivariate analysis, the strongest predictors for chronic wounds were limited mobility and diabetes mellitus. The highest prevalence of chronic wounds was in residents who were not restricted in their mobility, had diabetes, were male, and lived in a metropolitan region (23.7%). This study identified the prevalence and risk factors of chronic wounds in nursing home residents. Further research is needed to identify causal factors of the gender difference in the prevalence of chronic wounds. This may have an impact on the choice of prophylactic and therapeutic measures.

The Frequency and Risk Factors of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Recurrence Among Jordanian Patients with Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot is a major public health problem and their complications are an imperative cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the rate of recurrence of foot ulcers post two years of follow-up, including the associated risk factors in the patients attending the diabetic foot clinic at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics (NCDEG), Amman, Jordan.

METHODS

A historical cohort design was adopted for the patients who presented for the first time to the diabetic foot clinic at the NCDEG. Every patient who came to the clinic was reviewed by using his or her medical files with respect to diabetic foot-related complaints. Patients were classified under four categories: (1) Recurrent foot ulcers (2) chronic foot ulcer (3) free of recurrence, and (4) no foot ulcers. Among the four groups, group 1 (recurrent foot ulcers, n=76) and group 3 (free of recurrence, n=54) were included for the analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 141 patients who presented to the diabetic foot clinic during the two-year study period, 76 (53.9%) of them experienced ulcer recurrences, 54 (38.3%) were recurrence-free, and 11 (7.8%) had chronic ulceration. The two-year recurrence rate was 58.5%. The presence of deformity and osteomyelitis were the statistically significant independent risk factors for recurrent foot ulceration.

CONCLUSION

This study of recurrences was clearly related to the type and complications of the ulcers rather than to the other variables. Recurrent foot ulceration is linked to the presence of osteomyelitis and/or deformities.