Improving major amputation rates in the multicomplex diabetic foot patient: focus on the severity of peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), as well as diabetic neuropathy, is a risk factor for the development of diabetic foot ulcers. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences and predictors of outcome parameters in patients with diabetic foot by stratifying these subjects according to the severity of PAD.

Research Design And Methods: In a prospective study, patients with new diabetic foot ulcers have been treated and investigated by structured healthcare.

Structured health care for subjects with diabetic foot ulcers results in a reduction of major amputation rates.

Objective: We tested the effects of structured health care for the diabetic foot in one region in Germany aiming to reduce the number of major amputations.

Research Design And Methods: In a prospective study we investigated patients with diabetic foot in a structured system of outpatient, in-patient and rehabilitative treatment. Subjects were recruited between January 1st, 2000 and December 31, 2007.

Noninvasive management of the diabetic foot with critical limb ischemia: current options and future perspectives.

Foot ulcers are a major complication in patients with diabetes mellitus and involve dramatic restrictions to quality of life and also lead to enormous socio-economical loss due to the high amputation rate. The poor and slow wound healing is often aggravated by the frequent comorbidity of foot ulcers with peripheral arterial disease, making the treatment of this condition even more complicated. While the local treatment of foot ulcers is mainly based on mechanical relief and prevention or treatment of infection, improving perfusion of the impaired tissue remains the major challenge in peripheral arterial disease.