- 期刊
Prevention of Diabetic Foot Ulcer to Safeguard Limbs and Lives of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Mini Review
摘要
Diabetic foot disease has been recognized as a major and serious complication in patients with diabetes mellitus due to the severely disturbed quality of life caused by the disabling severity of this clinical entity. An ulcer on the foot is the most common initial clinical sign of diabetic foot disorder. It has a prevalence of 25% and poses a lifetime risk in diabetic patients. Furthermore, a previous superimposed infection may precede 85% of all non-traumatic lower extremity amputations and up to 70% of the diabetic patients with an ulcer-related amputation may die within 5 years of the procedure. In the absence of prompt diagnosis and early and appropriate management, there could be unavoidable sacrifice of a significant amount of tissue mass or even limb(s) to avoid life-threatening systemic infection or even mortality. The best strategy to minimize the burden caused by diabetic foot ulcers is to prevent their initial occurrence by good and long-term glycemic control, since chronic hyperglycemia is believed to be a critical pathophysiological factor underlying the development and progression of diabetic neuropathies and its presence is associated with a high risk of ulcer formation. Structured educational programs are required for the patients, their families, and caregivers, emphasizing the need for periodic and careful examination of the foot for any unnoticed injury of local tissues and for keeping a watchful eye on the signs or symptoms of any foot deformity or peripheral artery disease.