The evaluation of off-loading using a new removable oRTHOsis in DIABetic foot (ORTHODIAB) randomized controlled trial: study design and rational.

Background: Off-loading is essential for diabetic foot management, but remains understudied. The evaluation of Off-loading using a new removable oRTHOsis in DIABetic foot (ORTHODIAB) trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a new removable device "Orthèse Diabète" in the healing of diabetic foot.

Methods/design: ORTHODIAB is a French multi-centre randomized, open label trial, with a blinded end points evaluation by an adjudication committee according to the Prospective Randomized Open Blinded End-point.

Management of patients hospitalized for diabetic foot infection: results of the French OPIDIA study.

Aim: This study was an analysis of how diabetic patients with infected foot wounds are managed in hospital by departments specializing in diabetic foot pathology, including an evaluation of the outcome 1 year after discharge.

Methods: This was a prospective study of a cohort of patients hospitalized for diabetic foot infection at 38 hospital centres in France and followed-up for 1 year after discharge.

Results: Altogether, 291 patients were included (73% male; 85% type 2 diabetes; mean age: 64.

[Physiopathology of the diabetic foot].

Diabetic foot ulcerations result from different physiopathological mechanisms; a clear understanding of them is crucial to reduce their incidence, provide early care, and finally delay the amputation risk. The three main diabetes complications involved in foot ulcerations are neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and infection. The most common pathway to ulceration is peripheral sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathy, leading to loss of sensitivity, foot deformities, high foot pressure, and dry skin.

Factors associated with diabetic patients at high risk for foot ulceration.

In order to define risk factors for foot ulcers, associated with the major contributing factors (peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, altered foot biomechanics and history of foot ulceration or lower limb amputation), a multivariate analysis was performed in 446 patients free from foot ulceration. Four significant risk factors for foot ulcers have been identified: retinopathy, poor psychosocial status, hyperkeratosis, and diabetes duration. A relation was present between the probability of belonging to the high-risk groups and the number of associated factors.

Screening diabetic patients at risk for foot ulceration. A multi-centre hospital-based study in France.

Background: To determine the prevalence of risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration in diabetic patients free of active pedal ulceration in a hospital setting.

Methods: In sixteen French diabetology centres, a survey was conducted on a given day in all diabetic people attending the units, both as in- or out-patients.

Results: 664 patients were evaluated: 105 had an active foot ulcer and were excluded from the analysis as were four other patients due to lack of reliable data.

MR imaging of osteomyelitis and neuropathic osteoarthropathy in the feet of diabetics.

Distinguishing between osteomyelitis and neuropathic osteoarthropathy of the foot frequently presents a clinical and radiologic challenge in patients with diabetes. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in 26 diabetic patients to observe changes in signal intensity in the complicated diabetic foot. In every patient with osteomyelitis (n = 13), signal intensity abnormalities were seen within the bone marrow (low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images in 12 cases).

A micromethod for the evaluation of hemoglobin A1c: technique and preliminary results.

A microtechnique of column chromatography on a Biorex 70 resin monitored by permanent recording of the effluent o.d., permits to obtain the percent of Hb A1C in an hemolyzate within 1.