Prevention and management of diabetic foot disease

Abstract

Introduction. At least half of all amputations occur in people with diabetes, most commonly because of an infected diabetic foot ulcer. Prevention and management of diabetic foot disease can reduce the complications and the number of amputations that will reduce the economic impact and improve the quality of patients life. Aim of the study. To educate and guide on preventing and right management a diabetic foot disease. Materials and methods. Identifying the at-risk foot, regularly inspecting and examining the at-risk foot, educating the patient, family and healthcare providers, ensuring routine wearing of appropriate footwear, treating risk factors for ulceration. Results. The global patient and economic burden of diabetic foot disease can be considerably reduced when evidence-based preventative treatment is implemented in the foot care of people with diabetes who are at risk of developing a foot ulcer. Reducing the risk of ulceration also reduces the risk of infection, hospitalization, and lower-extremity amputation in these patient. Conclusions. Current treatment recommendations are based on stratified healthcare. Future research is needed to explore the potential of a more personalised medicine approach in diabetic foot ulcer prevention, so to deliver the right treatment, to the right person, at the right time.