An overview of diabetes-related foot ulcers.

The escalating prevalence of diabetes mellitus presents concern due to its widespread organ damage, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves, leading to severe complications such as heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFUs). Management in the community setting should be focused on prevention, assessment and patient-centred care. By understanding the complex aetiology, risk factors, and classification of DFUs, along with utilising evidence-based interventions like the Wound, Infection and Ischemia (WIfI) system, we can streamline care. Neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease and infection are major contributors to DFU development, highlighting the importance of early detection and intervention. Comprehensive care addressing vascular health, infection control, pressure offloading, wound management, metabolic control, and patient education is essential for successful DFU management. Ultimately, proactive prevention strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration are necessary in the management of DFUs and improving patient outcomes.

Lower limb wounds in diabetes: the challenges of wound healing.

Managing ulceration in the lower limb for a patient with diabetes can be complex and challenging, requiring a multiprofessional, patient-centred, holistic approach with early referral for specialist review as key. Any delay in referral and intervention can be catastrophic, as time is tissue. Peripheral arterial disease and neuropathy both contribute significantly to the delays in wound healing, and it is important to rapidly recognise the problems with an informed assessment and understand the possible reasons for delayed wound healing, so that management is appropriate, rapid referrals are made and patient outcomes are optimised. This article discusses some of the reasons why wound healing is complicated in those with diabetes as a comorbidity.