Pie diabético. Actualización en diagnóstico y tratamiento. Revisión bibliográfica / Diabetic foot. Update in diagnosis and treatment. Literature review

El pie diabético (PD) representa una de las complicaciones crónicas de la enfermedad diabética, que se debe a alteraciones estructurales y funcionales del pie, lo que provoca, entre otros efectos, las úlceras del pie diabético (UPD). Las tasas de mortalidad asociadas con el desarrollo de una UPD se estiman en un 5 % en el primer año y en un 42 % a los cinco años. A menudo puede identificarse un evento iniciador potencialmente prevenible, como un traumatismo menor que causa una lesión cutánea. La presentación clásica de la UPD es la de un pie infectado grave a través de una herida previa, con necrosis rápidamente progresiva. Se observa un tejido necrótico y colecciones purulentas. Las amputaciones del pie, muchas de las cuales pueden prevenirse con un reconocimiento y un tratamiento tempranos, pueden ser necesarias en hasta el 20 % de las úlceras del pie diabético. Los exámenes de detección sistemáticos para la afectación neuropática y vascular de las extremidades inferiores y la inspección cuidadosa de los pies pueden reducir sustancialmente la morbilidad de los problemas de los pies. El tratamiento efectivo de las UPD es complejo y requiere un gasto considerable de recursos y un costo significativo para el sistema de atención médica. En la presente revisión se hace una descripción de la fisiopatología, epidemiología, presentación clínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la UPD.(AU)

The diabetic foot (PD) represents one of the chronic complications of diabetic disease, which occurs due to structur-al and functional alterations of the foot, causing, among others, diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Mortality rates associatedwith the development of a DFU are estimated at 5 % in the first year, and 42 % at five years. A potentially preventableinitiating event can often be identified, such as minor trauma causing a skin lesion. The classic presentation of DFUis that of a severely infected foot through a previous wound, with rapidly progressive necrosis, necrotic tissue andpurulent collections are observed. Foot amputations, many of which can be prevented with early recognitionand treatment, may be required in up to 20 % of diabetic foot ulcers. Routine screening for neuropathic and vascularinvolvement of the lower extremities and careful inspection of the feet can substantially reduce the morbidity offoot problems. Effective treatment of DFUs is complex and requires considerable expenditure of resources andsignificant cost to the health care system. This review provides a description of the pathophysiology, epidemiology,clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of DFU.(AU)

The Role of Medial Plantar Artery Flap in Heel Pad Reconstruction: A Report of Two Cases.

The heel and sole possess unique anatomical characteristics that serve a weight-bearing and shock-absorbing function. The heel is particularly vital, as any defects in this area can lead to gait instability. Reconstructing a heel defect presents challenges, as the donor flap must be durable enough to withstand high force loads while also providing protective sensation. Recently, the medial plantar artery flap has been successfully employed for the reconstruction of defective heel pads. This flap offers glabrous skin capable of weight transmission and intact protective sensation. In this report, we present two cases of heel pad loss secondary to chronic diabetic complications and trauma, respectively, which were treated with medial plantar artery flap reconstruction. Both cases were successfully treated, and they showed a good functional outcome.

Impact of COVID-19 Crisis in the Management of Diabetic Foot Patients in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has a heavy burden on the approach of diabetic foot care worldwide. We aim to determine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on patients with diabetic foot (DF). Materials and methods This population-based cohort study included all patients diagnosed with the diabetic foot from 2019-2020 (pre-lockdown) and 2020-2021 (post-lockdown) in a tertiary center of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results Among all the participants (n=358), a non-significant difference was found between amputation rate during and before the COVID-19 pandemic (P-value=0.0983). Also, it showed a significantly higher percentage of patients who had acute lower limb ischemia compared to those having it before the pandemic (P-value=0.029). Conclusions and relevance In conclusion, our study found that the COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with excess amputations along with mortality rate, as the management during the pandemic showed adequate diabetic foot care by improving the prevention methods through hospital protocol restrictions and facilitating access to virtual clinics.

Surgical amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A Chinese expert panel consensus treatment guide.

Background: Diabetic foot disease is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Patients with diabetes mellitus have a 25% lifetime risk for developing a foot ulcer, and between 14% and 24% of patients require a major or minor lower limb amputation due to severe gangrene. However, decisions concerning whether to amputate or whether to perform a major or minor lower limb amputation, and how best to determine the amputation plane remain unclear. Methods: To consolidate the current literature with expert opinion to make recommendations that will guide surgical amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. A total of 23 experts experienced in surgical treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcers formed an expert consensus panel, and presented the relevant evidence, discussed clinical experiences, and derived consensus statements on surgical amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Each statement was discussed and revised until a unanimous consensus was achieved. Results: A total of 16 recommendations for surgical amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcers were formulated. The experts believe that determination of the amputation plane should be comprehensively evaluated according to a patient's general health status, the degree of injury, and the severity of lower limb vasculopathy. The Wagner grading system and the severity of diabetic lower extremity artery disease are important criteria when determining the degree of amputation. The severity of both diabetic foot infection and systemic underlying diseases are important factors when considering appropriate treatment. Moreover, consideration should also be given to a patient's socioeconomic status. Given the complexities of treating the diabetic foot, relevant issues in which consensus could not be reached will be discussed and revised in future. Conclusion: This expert consensus could be used to guide doctors in clinical practice, and help patients with diabetic foot ulcers gain access to appropriate amputation treatment.

Diabetic foot care course: a quasi-experimental study on E-learning versus interactive workshop.

BACKGROUND: Nurses, as multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Care (DFC) team members, need to be trained in DF prevention and management. Regarding the increasing use of e-learning educational courses as the new learning strategy with potential benefits among health care providers, this study attempted to evaluate the educational effects of an e-learning course on DFC compared to that of an interactive workshop in the related knowledge attainment. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study compared two non-randomized groups consisting of nurses who attended an e-learning course (intervention group) and a face-to-face interactive workshop (control group) on DFC using a pre- and post-test design. The eligible nurses enrolled by convenience sampling. All five e-modules on DF prevention and care were the same for both groups. A P value of <0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The study findings indicated that both e-learning course and interactive workshop increased DFC knowledge among nurses. There is a significant difference between the learning level (after training) in the intervention and control groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the e-learning course of DF could be as effective as conventional educational methods. However, considering the time, cost savings and providing an opportunity to learn anytime and anywhere, of the e-learning course, it is recommend for the future and required that more health care providers be trained to use of distance learning.

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.

Update on management of diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes that results in significant morbidity and mortality. Mortality rates associated with the development of a DFU are estimated to be 5% in the first 12 months, and 5-year morality rates have been estimated at 42%. The standard practices in DFU management include surgical debridement, dressings to facilitate a moist wound environment and exudate control, wound off-loading, vascular assessment, and infection and glycemic control. These practices are best coordinated by a multidisciplinary diabetic foot wound clinic. Even with this comprehensive approach, there is still room for improvement in DFU outcomes. Several adjuvant therapies have been studied to reduce DFU healing times and amputation rates. We reviewed the rationale and guidelines for current standard of care practices and reviewed the evidence for the efficacy of adjuvant agents. The adjuvant therapies reviewed include the following categories: nonsurgical debridement agents, dressings and topical agents, oxygen therapies, negative pressure wound therapy, acellular bioproducts, human growth factors, energy-based therapies, and systemic therapies. Many of these agents have been found to be beneficial in improving wound healing rates, although a large proportion of the data are small, randomized controlled trials with high risks of bias.