Diabetic foot disease carries an intrinsic high risk of mortality and other severe outcomes in type 2 diabetes: a propensity score-matched retrospective population-based study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the association between diabetic foot disease (DFD) and the incidence of fatal and non-fatal events in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) from primary-care settings. METHODS: We built a cohort of people with a first DFD episode during 2010-2015, followed up until 2018. These subjects were 1 to 1 propensity score matched to subjects with T2DM without DFD. The incidence of all-cause mortality, the occurrence of new DFD, amputations, cardiovascular diseases, or composite outcome, including all-cause mortality and/or cardiovascular events during the follow-up period, were calculated. A Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted to evaluate the hazard ratios (HR) for different events. RESULTS: Overall, 11,117 subjects with T2DM with a first episode of DFD were compared with subjects without DFD. We observed higher incidence rates (IRs) for composite outcome (33.9 vs. 14.5 IR per 100 person-years) and a new DFD episode event (22.2 vs. 1.1 IR per 100 person-years) in the DFD group. Compared to those without DFD, those with a first episode of DFD had a higher HR for all events, with excess rates particularly for amputation and new DFD occurrence (HR: 19.4, 95% CI: 16.7-22.6, HR: 15.1, 95% CI: 13.8-16.5, respectively) was found. CONCLUSIONS: Although DFD often coexists with other risk factors, it carries an intrinsic high risk of morbidity and mortality in individuals with T2DM. DFD should be regarded as a severe complication already at its onset, as it carries a poor clinical prognosis.

Multidisciplinary management of diabetic foot infection associated with improved 8-year overall survival.

AIMS: Diabetic foot syndrome is a global challenge best managed through multidisciplinary collaboration. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a systematic multidisciplinary team (MDT) on the overall survival and major amputation-free survival of hospitalized patients with diabetic foot infection (DFI). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Tampere University Hospital. Cohorts of hospitalized patients with DFI before and after the initiation of multidisciplinary wound ward were compared after an 8-year follow-up. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly higher overall survival in the post-MDT cohort (37.8 % vs 22.6 %, p < 0.05) in 8-year follow-up. Similarly, major amputation-free survival was superior in this cohort (31.8 % vs 16.9 %, p < 0.05). Additionally, early major amputation was associated with inferior overall survival (35.1 % vs 12.0 %, p < 0.05). In a multivariable Cox-regression analysis cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 1.38, 95 % confidence interval [CI95%] 1.01-1.87), early amputation (HR 1.64, CI95% 1.14-2.34) and diagnosed peripheral artery disease (HR 2.23, CI95% 1.61-3.09), congestive heart failure (HR 2.13, CI95% 1.47-3.08), or moderate kidney disease (HR 1.95, CI95% 1.34-2.84) were identified as significant risk factors affecting overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: After systematic MDT approach we found improved long-term overall and major amputation-free survival. Multidisciplinary approach is therefore highly recommended for managing patients hospitalized for DFI.

Diabetic foot ulcers, their characteristics, and trends in survival: Real world outcomes at a tertiary care facility in India.

AIMS: Characteristics of diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFU), association with recurrence and amputation are poorly described in the Asian Indian population. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was reviewed to characterize DFU and its association with amputation and recurrence. RESULTS: Of 200 patients, 63.5 % were male, the median age was 62 years (Min-Max:40-86), and median BMI was 27.90 kg/m2 (Min-Max:18.5-42.7). Median duration of Diabetes mellitus was 15 years (Min-Max:2-43). Complete healing occurred at a median of three months (Min-Max:0.23-37.62). Amputation for the current ulcer was required in 43.4 % of individuals. Ulcer recurrence was documented in 42.4 % instances, 66.1 % evolving on the ipsilateral side. Previous amputation was associated with the risk of subsequent amputation (Adjusted OR-3.08,p-0.047). Median time to ulcer recurrence was 4.23 years among those with amputation, in contrast to 9.61 years in those with healing. Cardiovascular death was the commonest cause of mortality, followed by sepsis. At a median follow up of 6.08 years, mortality at 1,3,5 and 10 years was 2.5 %,2.5 %,8.2 % and 30.9 % respectively among those who underwent amputation versus 0 %,0 %,10.1 % and 24.5 % respectively for those who achieved healing. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DFU in India incur amputations at rates higher than conventionally described. With previous amputation, subsequent amputation risk triples. Ten-year mortality is 25%-30 %. Underestimates of the burden of recurrence and mortality are consequential of limited follow-up.

Can the introduction of a 12-lead ECG help reduce mortality in those presenting with foot ulceration to multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinics? An observational evaluation of a real-world implementation pilot in England.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The risk of dying within 2 years of presentation with diabetic foot ulceration is over six times the risk of amputation, with CVD the major contributor. Using an observational evaluation of a real-world implementation pilot, we aimed to assess whether for those presenting with diabetic foot ulceration in England, introducing a 12-lead ECG into routine care followed by appropriate clinical action was associated with reduced mortality. METHODS: Between July 2014 and December 2017, ten multidisciplinary diabetic foot services in England participated in a pilot project introducing 12-lead ECGs for new attendees with foot ulceration. Inception coincided with launch of the National Diabetes Footcare Audit (NDFA), whereby all diabetic footcare services in England were invited to enter data on new attendees with foot ulceration. Poisson regression models assessed the mortality RR at 2 and 5 years following first assessment of those receiving care in a participating pilot unit vs those receiving care in any other unit in England, adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, type and duration of diabetes, ulcer severity, and morbidity in the year prior to first assessment. RESULTS: Of the 3110 people recorded in the NDFA at a participating unit during the pilot, 33% (1015) were recorded as having received an ECG. A further 25,195 people recorded in the NDFA had attended another English footcare service. Unadjusted mortality in the pilot units was 16.3% (165) at 2 years and 37.4% (380) at 5 years for those who received an ECG, and 20.5% (430) and 45.2% (950), respectively, for those who did not receive an ECG. For people included in the NDFA at other units, unadjusted mortality was 20.1% (5075) and 42.6% (10,745), respectively. In the fully adjusted model, mortality was not significantly lower for those attending participating units at 2 (RR 0.93 [95% CI 0.85, 1.01]) or 5 years (RR 0.95 [95% CI 0.90, 1.01]). At participating units, mortality in those who received an ECG vs those who did not was lower at 5 years (RR 0.86 [95% CI 0.76, 0.97]), but not at 2 years (RR 0.87 [95% CI 0.72, 1.04]). Comparing just those that received an ECG with attendees at all other centres in England, mortality was lower at 5 years (RR 0.87 [95% CI 0.78, 0.96]), but not at 2 years (RR 0.86 [95% CI 0.74, 1.01]). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The evaluation confirms the high mortality seen in those presenting with diabetic foot ulceration. Overall mortality at the participating units was not significantly reduced at 2 or 5 years, with confidence intervals just crossing parity. Implementation of the 12-lead ECG into the routine care pathway proved challenging for clinical teams-overall a third of attendees had one, although some units delivered the intervention to over 60% of attendees-and the evaluation was therefore underpowered. Nonetheless, the signals of potential mortality benefit among those who had an ECG suggest that units in a position to operationalise implementation may wish to consider this. DATA AVAILABILITY: Data from the National Diabetes Audit can be requested through the National Health Service Digital Data Access Request Service process at: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/data-access-request-service-dars/dars-products-and-services/data-set-catalogue/national-diabetes-audit-nda.

Diabetic foot ulcer is associated with cardiovascular-related mortality and morbidity - a systematic review and meta-analysis of 8062 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), as well as compare risks of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality between diabetic patients with and without DFU. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials and observational studies which explored the association between DFU and cardiovascular-related morbidity & mortality, or compared differences in hazard ratios of cardiovascular diseases between diabetics with and without DFU. Frequentist, pairwise meta-analysis was performed on studies with two comparator arms, whereas single-arm studies reporting pooled incidences of cardiovascular-related mortality and morbidity were calculated based on exact binomial distributions. A random-effect meta-analysis model was used with heterogenicity of studies assessed using I2, τ2, and χ2 statistics. RESULTS: 10 studies were identified and included in the systematic review & meta-analysis of 8602 patients. DFU was consistently found to have significant association with cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality, with pooled prevalences of all cause cardiovascular-related morbidity (37.1%), IHD (44.7%), CHF (25.1%), CAD (11.7%), and CVA (10.9%), and all cause cardiovascular-related mortality (14.6%), fatal IHD (6.2%), fatal CHF (3.67%), fatal CAD (7.92%), and fatal CVA (1.99%). Diabetic patients with DFU were found to have significantly increased risk of IHD (RR 1.25), CVA (RR 2.03), and all-cause cardiovascular-related mortality (RR 2.59) compared to those without DFU. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of DFU is associated with major adverse cardiac events. The alarming rates of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality in DFU patients highlight its potential role as a marker of cardiovascular complications and should prompt early clinical investigation and management.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Review.

Importance: Approximately 18.6 million people worldwide are affected by a diabetic foot ulcer each year, including 1.6 million people in the United States. These ulcers precede 80% of lower extremity amputations among people diagnosed with diabetes and are associated with an increased risk of death. Observations: Neurological, vascular, and biomechanical factors contribute to diabetic foot ulceration. Approximately 50% to 60% of ulcers become infected, and about 20% of moderate to severe infections lead to lower extremity amputations. The 5-year mortality rate for individuals with a diabetic foot ulcer is approximately 30%, exceeding 70% for those with a major amputation. The mortality rate for people with diabetic foot ulcers is 231 deaths per 1000 person-years, compared with 182 deaths per 1000 person-years in people with diabetes without foot ulcers. People who are Black, Hispanic, or Native American and people with low socioeconomic status have higher rates of diabetic foot ulcer and subsequent amputation compared with White people. Classifying ulcers based on the degree of tissue loss, ischemia, and infection can help identify risk of limb-threatening disease. Several interventions reduce risk of ulcers compared with usual care, such as pressure-relieving footwear (13.3% vs 25.4%; relative risk, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28-0.84), foot skin measurements with off-loading when hot spots (ie, greater than 2 °C difference between the affected foot and the unaffected foot) are found (18.7% vs 30.8%; relative risk, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.31-0.84), and treatment of preulcer signs. Surgical debridement, reducing pressure from weight bearing on the ulcer, and treating lower extremity ischemia and foot infection are first-line therapies for diabetic foot ulcers. Randomized clinical trials support treatments to accelerate wound healing and culture-directed oral antibiotics for localized osteomyelitis. Multidisciplinary care, typically consisting of podiatrists, infectious disease specialists, and vascular surgeons, in close collaboration with primary care clinicians, is associated with lower major amputation rates relative to usual care (3.2% vs 4.4%; odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.32-0.51). Approximately 30% to 40% of diabetic foot ulcers heal at 12 weeks, and recurrence after healing is estimated to be 42% at 1 year and 65% at 5 years. Conclusions and Relevance: Diabetic foot ulcers affect approximately 18.6 million people worldwide each year and are associated with increased rates of amputation and death. Surgical debridement, reducing pressure from weight bearing, treating lower extremity ischemia and foot infection, and early referral for multidisciplinary care are first-line therapies for diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers: Retrospective comparative analysis from Sicily between two eras.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the incidence, management and mortality of DFU in Sicilian Type 2 diabetic patients hospitalized between two eras, i.e. 2008-2013 and 2014-2019. METHODS: We compared the two eras, era1: 2008-13, era2: 2014-19. In era 1, n = 149, and in era 2, n = 181 patients were retrospectively enrolled. RESULTS: In the population hospitalized for DFU in 2008-2013, 59.1% of males and 40.9% of females died, whilst in 2014-2019 65.9% of males and 34.1% of females died. Moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) was significantly higher in patients that had died than in ones that were alive (33% vs. 43%, p < 0.001), just as CKD was severe (14.5% vs. 4%, p < 0.001). Considering all together the risk factors associated with mortality, at Cox regression multivariate analysis only moderate-severe CKD (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.07-2.42, p 0.021), age of onset greater than 69 years (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.37-2.95, p <0.001) and eGFR less than 92 ml/min (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.51-5.34, p 0.001) were independently associated with risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DFU have high mortality and reduced life expectancy. Age at onset of diabetic foot ulcer, eGFR values and CKD are the principal risk factors for mortality.

Survival of Patients Following First Diagnosis of Diabetic Foot Complications: A Nationwide 15-Year Longitudinal Analysis.

Background and Aims: The long-term survival in people with type 2 diabetes following first diagnosis of diabetic foot complications (FDDFC) is unclear. The object is to evaluate the mortality rate in subjects with type 2 diabetes following FDDFC and the impacts of the major cardiovascular comorbidities. Methods: Nationwide data were analyzed for subjects with T2D and DFC between 2003 and 2017 according to ICD-9 coding. DFC was defined with the codes of ulcers, infections, or severe peripheral artery disease that required intervention (PAD) to mimic the real world diagnosis. Criteria of FDDFC were preceded by a period without any DFC for at least 5 years. Major cardiovascular comorbidities: established PAD and cardiovascular diseases (CVD: including coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, or heart failure) before the index date as well as lower-extremity amputations (LEA) at the index episode were analyzed. Results: Among 300,115 subjects with DFC, a total of 103,396 patients had FDDFC. The mean 5-year survival rate of these subjects was 81.05%. Using subjects without associated major cardiovascular comorbidity as baseline, the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were1.43 (95% confidence interval 1.38-1.49) in group PAD-/CVD+, followed by 1.70 (1.59-1.80) in PAD+/CVD- and 1.98 (1.89-2.08) in PAD+/CVD+. The aHR was further increased in patients with PAD who additionally had heart failure (3.77, 3.50-4.05), stroke (2.06, 1.95-2.18), or CHD (1.89, 1.79-2.00). Subjects with PAD rather than other CVD were associated with LEA at FDDFC. Patients with major LEA (above the ankle) at FDDFC episode had lower 5-year survival rate (65.01%) followed by those with minor LEA (72.24%) and without LEA (81.61%). Conclusions: Cardiovascular comorbidity as well as LEA status at the event of FDDFCs were both associated with patient survival outcomes. Earlier identification of this large population could lead to higher survival rates.

Tasa de mortalidad de personas con pie diabético en La Habana durante el periodo 2010-2015 / Mortality for Diabetic Foot in People with Diabetes Mellitus in Havana during the 2010-2015 Period

Introducción: Se define como pie diabético toda infección, úlcera o destrucción tisular del pie asociada a neuropatía y/o enfermedad vascular periférica de miembros inferiores en personas con diabetes. Objetivo: Determinar la tasa de mortalidad en personas con pie diabético en La Habana durante el período 2010-2015, así como las causas y las variables sociodemográficas de los fallecidos. Método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se revisó el registro de fallecidos por diabetes mellitus en La Habana como causa básica de muerte de los años comprendidos del 2010 al 2015, Se analizaron las variables edad, sexo, causa básica de muerte, amputaciones y municipio de procedencia. Los resultados se expresaron en frecuencias absolutas, relativas y tasas por 100 000 habitantes. Resultados: La tasa de mortalidad en personas con pie diabético fue de 3,07/105 habitantes. El año de mayor mortalidad fue el 2010 (10,41 por ciento) y el de menor fue el 2011 (7,34 por ciento). Predominaron las mujeres (56 por ciento) y los mayores de 70 años (66,5 por ciento). En el 48,5 por ciento de los casos se reportaron amputaciones. Las causas directas de muerte más frecuente fueron: la sepsis (34,5 por ciento), el tromboembolismo pulmonar (32,2 por ciento) y la bronconeumonía (21,1 por ciento). Los municipios con menores tasas de fallecidos fueron La Habana Vieja y Arroyo Naranjo. Conclusiones: La tasa de mortalidad en personas con pie diabético en el período 2010-2015 tuvieron una tendencia a la disminución. Las cifras más elevadas se observaron en la edad y en el sexo femenino. Las infecciones, el tromboembolismo pulmonar y la bronconeumonía fueron las causas de muerte directa más importantes(AU)

Introduction: Mortality due to diabetes mellitus may rise due to an increase in its prevalence and the risk of chronic complications. Objective: To determine the mortality rate in people with diabetic foot in Havana during the 2010-2015 period, as well as the causes and sociodemographic variables of the deceased. Methods: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study. The registry of deaths from diabetes mellitus as the basic cause of death from 2010 to 2015 was reviewed. The variables age, sex, basic cause of death, amputations and municipality of origin were analyzed. The results were expressed in absolute and relative frequencies, as well as in rates per hundred thousand inhabitants. Results: The mortality rate in people with diabetic foot was 3.07/105 inhabitants. The year with the highest mortality was 2010 (10.41 percent) and the year with the lowest value was 2011 (7.34 percent). Women (56 percent) and those aged over seventy years (66.5 percent) predominated. In 48.5 percent of the cases accounted for amputations. The most frequent direct causes of death were sepsis (34.5 percent), pulmonary thromboembolism (32.2 percent) and bronchopneumonia (21.1 percent). The municipalities with the lowest death rates were La Habana Vieja and Arroyo Naranjo. Conclusions: Mortality rates in people with diabetic foot in the 2010-2015 period tended to decrease. The highest figures were observed in geriatric ages and among women. Infections, pulmonary embolism and bronchopneumonia were the most important direct causes of death(AU)

Amputations of Lower Limb in Subjects with Diabetes Mellitus: Reasons and 30-Day Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot is one of the leading causes of patient disability worldwide. Lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) resulting from this disease massively decrease quality of life, the function of the patient, and incur significant healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to assess trends in the number of amputations, the diagnosis at discharge, and diagnosis-related mortality after LEA procedures in a nationwide population. METHODS: Datasets of the National Heath Fund containing information about all services within the public healthcare system in Poland, spanning the years 2010-2019, were analyzed. The source of data regarding mortality was the database of the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2019, the annual number of amputations in patients with diabetes increased significantly from 5,049 to 7,759 (p for trend < 0.000001). However, the number of amputations in patients with diabetes calculated as a number per 100,000 diabetics decreased significantly (p for trend < 0.0005) during this period. Amputations in patients with diabetes accounted for a majority of all amputations; the mean percentage of amputations in patients with diabetes was 68.6% of all amputations (from 61.1% in 2010 to 71.4% in 2019, p for trend < 0.0000001). The most common disease diagnosed at discharge after LEA in diabetic patients was diabetes itself. Vascular pathologies, such as soft-tissue/bone/joint infections and ulcerations, were the next most common. The 30-day mortality rate after LEA was rather high in patients with, as well as without, diabetes (depending on the cause for amputation 3.5-34% and 2.2-28.99%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The number of LEA in patients with diabetes in Poland increased substantially between 2010 and 2019 along with an increasing number of diabetics. Vascular pathologies, infections, and ulcerations were the most common causes of LEA. The 30-day mortality rate after amputation was rather high and varied depending on the diagnoses at discharge.

Diabetic foot ulcer management in a multidisciplinary foot centre: one-year healing, amputation and mortality rate.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the rates of healing, major amputation and mortality after 12 months in patients with a new diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and their care in a French diabetic foot service (DFS). METHOD: A prospective single-centre study including patients from March 2009 to December 2010. The length of time to healing, minor amputation, major amputation and mortality rate after inclusion were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Some 347 patients were included (3% lost to follow-up), with a median follow-up (IQR) of 19 (12-24) months. The mean (SD) age was 65±12 years, 68% were male, and the median duration of the ulcer was 49 (19-120) days. Complications of the DFU were ischaemia (70%), infection (55%) and osteomyelitis (47%). Of the patients, 50% were inpatients in the DFS at inclusion (median duration of hospitalisation 26 (15-41) days). The rate of healing at one year was 67% (95% confidence interval (CI): 61-72); of major amputation 10% (95% CI: 7-17); of minor amputation 19% (95% CI: 14-25), and the death rate was 9% (95% CI: 7-13). Using an adjusted hazard ratio, the predictive factors of healing were perfusion and the area of the wound. The risk factors for a major amputation were active smoking and osteomyelitis. The risk factors for mortality were perfusion and age. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the need to treat DFUs rapidly, in a multidisciplinary DFS.

Demographics and outcomes of inpatients with diabetic foot ulcers treated conservatively and surgically in a metropolitan hospital network.

AIMS: To describe the demographics of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and their impact on inpatient management. Secondary outcomes identified relationships of treatment modality with mortality, length of hospital admission, readmissions and post-admission care. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including patients with DFU admitted to a hospital network in Melbourne, Australia from 2016 to 2018. Medical records were manually reviewed for acute admission with DFU as a major presenting diagnosis; incidental ulcers and traumatic amputations were excluded. Amputations distal and proximal to the ankle were labelled 'minor' and 'major' respectively. Patients were followed until October 31, 2019. RESULTS: Of 338 patients, 21 and 148 had major and minor amputations, and 169 were managed conservatively. 94% had ≥1 microvascular and/or macrovascular complication. Conservative management (7 days) was associated with a shorter length of stay (major 18, minor 10 days, p < 0.001). Readmission rates were not significantly different. Mortality was greatest (38%) and survival time shortest (999 days) after major amputation than after either other treatment. Other factors associated with mortality were age and a history of coronary artery disease. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification and multi-disciplinary management of DFU is essential to reduce the significant morbidity and mortality associated with amputation in these complex patients.

A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Risk Prediction Tools Used to Estimate Mortality, Morbidity, and Other Outcomes Following Major Lower Limb Amputation.

OBJECTIVE: The decision to undertake a major lower limb amputation can be complex. This review evaluates the performance of risk prediction tools in estimating mortality, morbidity, and other outcomes following amputation. METHODS: A systematic review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify studies reporting on risk prediction tools that predict outcomes following amputation. Outcome measures included the accuracy of the risk tool in predicting a range of post-operative complications, including mortality (both short and long term), peri-operative morbidity, need for re-amputation, and ambulation success. A narrative synthesis was performed in accordance with the Guidance on the Conduct of Narrative Synthesis In Systematic Reviews. RESULTS: The search identified 518 database records. Twelve observational studies, evaluating 13 risk prediction tools in a total cohort of 61 099 amputations, were included. One study performed external validation of an existing risk prediction tool, while all other studies developed novel tools or modified pre-existing generic calculators. Two studies conducted external validation of the novel/modified tools. Nine tools provided risk estimations for mortality, two tools provided predictions for post-operative morbidity, two for likelihood of ambulation, and one for re-amputation to the same or higher level. Most mortality prediction tools demonstrated acceptable discrimination performance with C statistic values ranging from 0.65 to 0.81. Tools estimating the risk of post-operative complications (0.65 - 0.74) and necessity for re-amputation (0.72) also performed acceptably. The Blatchford Allman Russell tool demonstrated outstanding discrimination for predicting functional mobility outcomes post-amputation (0.94). Overall, most studies were at high risk of bias with poor external validity. CONCLUSION: This review identified several risk prediction tools that demonstrate acceptable to outstanding discrimination for objectively predicting an array of important post-operative outcomes. However, the methodological quality of some studies was poor, external validation studies are generally lacking, and there are no tools predicting other important outcomes, especially quality of life.

Predictive ability of LRINEC score in the prediction of limb loss and mortality in diabetic foot infection.

It was aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score in predicting amputation and mortality in diabetic foot infection (DFI). Data of 416 patients who were hospitalized for DFI were recorded retrospectively. LRINEC scores were calculated for each patient from laboratory data. The diagnostic performance of LRINEC score was investigated in amputated/nonamputated and survived/deceased patient groups. Median LRINEC score of patients who underwent amputation was higher than those without amputation (P < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) value for LRINEC score was 0.638 with the cut-off point of ≥5 in predicting amputation. Median LRINEC score of deceased patients was higher than those who survived (P= 0.022). AUC value for LRINEC score was 0.663 with the cut-off point of ≥7 in predicting mortality. LRINEC score may be a promising scoring system in predicting both amputation and mortality in DFI.

Evaluating the Impact of Medial Arterial Calcification on Outcomes of Infrageniculate Endovascular Interventions for Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Medial arterial calcification (MAC) of the tibial and pedal arteries has been associated with an increased risk of amputation among people with diabetes. Endovascular interventions on infrageniculate vessels are frequently performed with the intent of treating peripheral artery disease (PAD) and decreasing the risk of amputation in those with diabetes. This study aimed to investigate how the extent of MAC impacts outcomes of endovascular procedures in people with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). METHODS: We identified all patients who had undergone infrageniculate angioplasty in the setting of DFU at our institution between 2009 and 2019. Subjects were assigned a MAC score based on the severity of MAC in each vessel visualized on plain radiographs of the ankle and foot. We evaluated the relationship between MAC and the primary outcome, major adverse limb event (MALE), using stratified Cox proportional modeling. RESULTS: Among 99 subjects with DFU who had undergone infrageniculate angioplasty, MALE occurred in 50% (95% confidence interval [CI] 38%-61%) of patients within 1 year of intervention. On univariate Cox regression analysis, each 1 point increment in MAC score (hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; 95% CI 1.01-1.18), the third tertile of MAC score (HR, 2.27; 95% CI 1.01-5.11), age (HR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93-0.99), and wound grade (HR, 5.34; 95% CI 2.17-13.14), were significantly associated with increased risk of MALE. On adjusted analysis stratified by wound grade, MAC score was found to be associated with MALE only in patients with a low wound grade. CONCLUSION: Increased severity of MAC is associated with increased risk of MALE for subjects undergoing infrageniculate angioplasty with a low wound grade. Further research is needed to better understand the complex relationships of MAC, PAD, DFU, and interventions aimed at promoting healing of DFU.

Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic foot ulcer, a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials.

Studies have suggested that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is effective in the healing of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU); however, there is a lack of consensus. Therefore, to assess the efficacy of HBOT on diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients, controlled clinical trials were searched through PubMed, EMBASE, Clinical key, Ovid Discovery, ERMED, Clinical Trials.gov databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and other sources until 15 September 2020. Studies that evaluated the effect of HBOT on diabetic foot ulcer, complete healing, amputation, adverse events, ulcer reduction area, and mortality rate were included. Of 1984 study records screened, 14 studies (768 participants) including twelve RCTs, and two CCTs were included as per inclusion criteria. The results with pooled analysis have shown that HBOT was significantly effective in complete healing of diabetic foot ulcer (OR = 0.29; 95% CI 0.14-0.61; I2 = 62%) and reduction of major amputation (RR = 0.60; 95% CI 0.39-0.92; I2 = 24%). Although, it was not effective for minor amputations (RR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.34-1.97; I2 = 79%); however, less adverse events were reported in standard treatment group (RR = 1.68; 95% CI 1.07-2.65; I2 = 0%). Nevertheless, reduction in mean percentage of ulcer area and mortality rate did not differ in HBOT and control groups. This review provides an evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is effective as an adjunct treatment measure for the diabetes foot ulcers. These findings could be generalized cautiously by considering methodological flaws within all studies.

Isolated low toe-brachial index is associated with increased mortality and morbidity: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the prognostic impact of perfusion assessments including ankle-brachial Index (ABI) and toe-brachial Index (TBI) on survival of patients who present with diabetic foot ulceration and to analyse clinical outcomes when patients are categorised into three levels of limb ischaemia. METHOD: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of consecutive patients presenting with foot ulceration. Patients continued with their standard of care, after having baseline assessments of limb perfusion. Patients were retrospectively categorised into three groups according to baseline ABI and TBI: Group 1 (n=31) non-ischaemic (TBI≥0.75, ABI≥0.9), Group 2 (n=67) isolated low TBI with foot ischaemia (TBI<0.75, ABI≥0.90) and Group 3 (n=30) foot-leg ischaemia (TBI<0.75, ABI<0.90). RESULTS: A total of 128 patients took part in the study. Low TBI was associated with a significant decrease in patient survival (42±20 versus 51±16 months, p=0.011). There was a progressive and significant decline in mean patient survival time (51±16 versus 44±20 versus 39±22 months, respectively, for ANOVA across the three groups, p=0.04). Patients with isolated low TBI had angioplasty and bypass at a rate similar to that of patients in Group 3 (low ABI and low TBI). The proportion of angioplasties was significantly higher in the isolated low TBI (19.4% (13/67) versus the non-ischaemic 3.2% (1/31), p=0.033). Such revascularisation resulted in ulcer healing within the foot ischaemic group that was similar to the non-ischaemic group (68% versus 60% over 12 months, p=0.454). CONCLUSION: Regardless of ABI level, measurement of TBI identifies patients with isolated low TBI who require specialised care pathways and revascularisation to achieve ulcer healing that is similar to non-ischaemic patients.

Healing and Mortality Rates Following Toe Amputation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This single-centre study aimed to determine healing, re-ulceration, re-amputation and mortality rates at one year after toe amputations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-one participants with T2DM admitted for toe amputation were included. Patient characteristics, peripheral circulation and neuropathy status were recorded. Subjects were then followed every 3 months post-amputation for a year. RESULTS: Overall, 59.3% of participants underwent further surgery (n=31 to revise the original amputation site and n=17 to amputate a new site). During 12 months, 45.7% of participants presented with a new ulcer at a different site. Mortality was 7.4%. In 12.4% of participants, the amputation site remained incompletely healed. Only 20.9% had no complications in 12 months. At 12 months, 80.2% of study cohort had a completely healed amputation site. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study highlighted high re-intervention, re-amputation and new ulceration rates. Strategies to improves these outcomes in such high-risk patients are warranted.