The Changes of Trends in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer over a 10-Year Period: Single Center Study

Effect of a multidisciplinary team approach in patients with diabetic foot ulcers on major adverse limb events (MALEs): systematic review and meta-analysis for the development of the Italian guidelines for the treatment of diabetic foot syndrome

The treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is extremely complex, requiring a comprehensive approach that involves a variety of different healthcare professionals. Several studies have shown that a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach is useful to achieve good clinical outcomes, reducing major and minor amputation and increasing the chance of healing. Despite this, the multidisciplinary approach is not always a recognized treatment strategy. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the effects of an MDT approach on major adverse limb events, healing, time-to-heal, all-cause mortality, and other clinical outcomes in patients with active DFUs. The present meta-analysis was performed for the purpose of developing Italian guidelines for the treatment of diabetic foot with the support of the Italian Society of Diabetology (Società Italiana di Diabetologia, SID) and the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD). The study was performed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. All randomized clinical trials and observational studies, with a duration of at least 26 weeks, which compared the MDT approach with any other organizational strategy in the management of patients with DFUs were considered. Animal studies were excluded. A search of Medline and Embase databases was performed up until the May 1st, 2023. Patients managed by an MDT were reported to have better outcomes in terms of healing, minor and major amputation, and survival in comparison with those managed using other approaches. No data were found on quality of life, returning-to-walking, and emergency admission. Authors concluded that the MDT may be effective in improving outcomes in patients with DFUs.

Life expectancy of patients with diabetic foot sepsis post-lower extremity amputation at a regional hospital in a South African setting. A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes foot sepsis (DFS) is the leading cause of amputation of lower extremities. Over 50 % of patients who have had major lower extremity amputation due to DFS are dead within 4 years following the procedure.

AIM

To determine the life expectancy of patients following amputation for DFS at a regional hospital in South Africa.

METHODS

We conducted an audit of patients who had DFS and were admitted over a 5-year period. The duration from admission to time of death was recorded in days. Occurrence of death was confirmed from family members of the deceased using structured telephonic interview questionnaires. Categorical findings were summarized using actual counts and percentages and compared using either the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. We used the mean with standard deviation or median and range to compare parametric and non-parametric continuous data, respectively. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test normality of data. Multivariate logistic regression was done to establish factors that were strongly associated with the mortalities. Adjusted survival curves were added to compare the rate of occurrence of mortality between males and females with age as a confounder. Statistical significance was set at a p-value below 0.05.

RESULTS

197 were found of which 100 % of participants had Type 2 diabetes mellitus and 63.5 % were males. Associated comorbidities included hypertension in 73.6 %, obesity in 66 %, alcohol use in 64.5 % and smoking in 58.4 %. 190 participants had an amputation and 19.3 % died.

CONCLUSION

DFS was more common in males and 96 % of the patients had an amputation. Mortality rate within 4 years following amputation was 19.3 % and was higher in females and individuals with multiple comorbidities.

Impact of multidisciplinary care of diabetic foot infections for inpatients at Campbelltown Hospital

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot infection (DFI), including diabetic foot ulcer, is a serious complication of diabetes, particularly in the South Western Sydney (SWS) region where it is a leading cause of diabetes-related hospitalisations. Multidisciplinary team (MDT) involvement is effective at improving the health outcomes of DFI patients. This study investigated the impact of MDT (High Risk Foot Service, HRFS) on the length of stay and surgical outcomes of inpatients with DFI in a Sydney tertiary hospital.

METHOD

A retrospective audit of electronic medical records of inpatient admissions for DFI at Campbelltown Hospital between January 2019 - December 2021, was performed. The main outcome of the study was MDT involvement, defined as having two or more specialities involved in the patient's treatment. The other measured variables included length of stay (defined as the total duration from admission to discharge), and surgical outcomes including debridement, minor amputation, and major amputation.

RESULTS

Over the three years, 78 participants presented to the hospital for 89 unique DFI admissions. There were 24 admissions in 2019, 28 admissions in 2020, and 37 admissions in 2021, with MDT attendance showing a steady increase at 62.5%, 75.0% and 83.8% respectively. Patients with serious comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease were more likely to have MDT involvement (84.8% vs. 15.2%, P = 0.048). Imaging was more likely to be performed with MDT involvement (78.8% vs. 21.3%, p < 0.05). Comparing patients who received and did not receive MDT care, the mean HbA1c (%) (8.4 ± 2.0 vs. 8.2 ± 2.7, P = 0.701), median length of stay (LOS: 7.8, IQR 15.0 days vs. 4.8 IQR 7.9 days, P = 0.243) and rate of surgical outcomes (74.6% vs. 72.7%, P = 0.262) were similar. Patients who required major amputation had significantly longer LOS (24 days, IQR 21.5 vs. 5.2 days, IQR 13.0, P = 0.004) but similar HbA1c (P = 0.552) compared to those who had conservative intervention.

CONCLUSION

Adopting an MDT approach was associated with more thorough investigation of DFI, with similar rates of surgical outcomes. Further research on the impacts of MDT on length of stay and surgical outcomes of DFI patients in other SWS hospitals is needed.

A novel Canadian multidisciplinary acute care pathway for people hospitalised with a diabetic foot ulcer

This manuscript describes the implementation and initial evaluation of a novel Canadian acute care pathway for people with a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). A multidisciplinary team developed and implemented an acute care pathway for patients with a DFU who presented to the emergency department (ED) and required hospitalisation at a tertiary care hospital in Canada. Processes of care, length of stay (LOS), and hospitalisation costs were considered through retrospective cohort study of all DFU hospitalizations from pathway launch in December 2018 to December 2020. There were 82 DFU-related hospital admissions through the ED of which 55 required invasive intervention: 28 (34.1%) minor amputations, 16 (19.5%) abscess drainage and debridement, 6 (7.3%) lower extremity revascularisations, 5 (6.1%) major amputations. Mean hospital LOS was 8.8 ± 4.9 days. Mean hospitalisation cost was $20 569 (±14 143): $25 901 (±15 965) when surgical intervention was required and $9279 (±7106) when it was not. LOS and hospitalisation costs compared favourably to historical data. An acute care DFU pathway can support the efficient evaluation and management of patients hospitalised with a DFU. A dedicated multidisciplinary DFU care team is a valuable resource for hospitals in Canada.

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.

Comparison of WIFi, University of Texas and Wagner Classification Systems as Major Amputation Predictors for Admitted Diabetic Foot Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction:

Classifications systems are powerful tools that could reduce the length of hospital stay and economic burden. The Would, Ischemia, and Foot Infection (WIFi) classification system was created as a comprehensive system for predicting major amputation but is yet to be compared with other systems. Thus, the objective of this study is to compare the predictive abilities for major lower limb amputation of WIFi, Wagner and the University of Texas Classification Systems among diabetic foot patients admitted in a tertiary hospital through a prospective cohort design.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty-three diabetic foot patients admitted from June 15, 2019 to February 15, 2020. Methods included one-on-one interview for clinico-demographic data, physical examination to determine the classification. Patients were followed-up and outcomes were determined. Pearson Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact determined association between clinico-demographic data, the classifications, and outcomes. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve determined predictive abilities of classification systems and paired analysis compared the curves. Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) values used to compare the prediction accuracy. Analysis was set at 95% CI.

Results:

Results showed hypertension, duration of diabetes, and ambulation status were significantly associated with major amputation. WIFi showed the highest AUC of 0.899 (p = 0.000). However, paired analysis showed AUC differences between WIFi, Wagner, and University of Texas classifications by grade were not significantly different from each other.

Conclusion:

The WIFi, Wagner, and University of Texas classification systems are good predictors of major amputation with WIFi as the most predictive.

[Clinical study of local injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma in treatment of diabetic foot ulcer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of local injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treatment of diabetic foot ulcer.

METHODS

Between October 2017 and October 2018, 90 diabetic foot ulcer patients who met the selection criteria were randomly divided into 3 groups: PRP injection group (group A, PRP was injected and hydrogel dressing covered the wounds), PRP covered group (group B, PRP gel and hydrogel dressing covered the wounds), and the control group (group C, hydrogel dressing covered the wounds), 30 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, injured side, disease duration, preoperative glycosylated hemoglobin, wound size, and Wagner grading between groups (P>0.05). The frequency of treatments and hospitalization day in all groups and the total amount of PRP application in groups A and B were recorded. The wound healing condition was recorded during the treatment, and the wound healing rate was calculated at 3 months after the first debridement.

RESULTS

The frequency of treatments in groups A, B, and C were (10.2±0.8), (11.4±0.6), (12.5±0.5) times, respectively. The total amount of PRP application of groups A and B were (306±24) and (342±18) mL, respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequency of treatments and the total amount of PRP application between groups (P>0.05). The hospitalization days of groups A, B, and C were (40.5±1.8), (62.1±2.3), and (88.6±1.4) days, respectively, showing significant differences between groups (P<0.05). In the course of treatment, the necrosis and exudation of the wounds gradually reduced, the areas of wounds gradually reduced; and the above conditions of group A were significantly better than groups B and C, and group B was better than group C. At 3 months after the first debridement, the wound healing rates of groups A, B, and C were 93.2%±0.8%, 52.1%±1.1%, and 21.3%±1.3%, respectively, with significant differences between groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

PRP can effectively promote the repair of diabetic foot ulcer. The effectiveness of local injection of PRP is superior to the local coverage.

The Complexity of Diabetic Foot Management: From Common Care to Best Practice. The Italian Expert Opinion by Delphi Survey

Diabetic foot is a major public health issue, driven by diabetes complications (neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, foot deformity, and abnormal leucocyte function), which may lead to leg amputation, thus resulting in severe disability, reduced quality of life, and high health costs. The prevention of diabetes complications and the early detection and proper management of diabetic foot wounds are the milestones to avoid major amputations. Unfortunately, in many areas, the prevention of diabetic foot lesions is inadequate and wounds may proceed toward infection and chronicity, with limb- and life-threatening results. Using the Delphi method, we conducted a survey on diabetic foot among Italian experts, selected across different Italian clinical centers. This method was used to achieve a consensus on current opinion and clinical leanings on the diagnosis and management of diabetic foot ulcers. Specifically, the aim of the survey was to evaluate the current management of the diabetic foot syndrome; highlight the differences in the approach among a group of experts; evaluate the role of wound bed preparation and antisepsis; and discuss any areas of disagreement in which evidences are sparse and the clinical judgment plays a crucial role in the decision-making process.

A systematic review of multidisciplinary teams to reduce major amputations for patients with diabetic foot ulcers

OBJECTIVE

Multiple single-center studies have reported significant reductions in major amputations among patients with diabetic foot ulcers after initiation of multidisciplinary teams. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between multidisciplinary teams (ie, two or more types of clinicians working together) and the risk of major amputation and to compile descriptions of these diverse teams.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through May 24, 2019 for studies reporting the association between multidisciplinary teams and major amputation rates for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. We included original studies if ≥50% of the patients seen by the multidisciplinary team had diabetes, they included a control group, and they reported the effect of a multidisciplinary team on major amputation rates. Studies were excluded if they were non-English language, abstracts only, or unpublished. We used the five-domain Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety Model to describe team composition and function and summarized changes in major amputation rates associated with multidisciplinary team care. A meta-analysis was not performed because of heterogeneity across studies, their observational designs, and the potential for uncontrolled confounding (PROSPERO No. 2017: CRD42017067915).

RESULTS

We included 33 studies, none of which were randomized trials. Multidisciplinary team composition and functions were highly diverse. However, four elements were common across teams: teams were composed of medical and surgical disciplines; larger teams benefitted from having a "captain" and a nuclear and ancillary team member structure; clear referral pathways and care algorithms supported timely, comprehensive care; and multidisciplinary teams addressed four key tasks: glycemic control, local wound management, vascular disease, and infection. Ninety-four percent (31/33) of studies reported a reduction in major amputations after institution of a multidisciplinary team.

CONCLUSIONS

Multidisciplinary team composition was variable but reduced major amputations in 94% of studies. Teams consistently addressed glycemic control, local wound management, vascular disease, and infection in a timely and coordinated manner to reduce major amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcerations. Care algorithms and referral pathways were key tools to their success.