Vol 9, No 1 (2008): Practical Diabetology
Review article
Published online: 2008-04-01
Early dedection of diabetic foot syndrome
Diabetologia Praktyczna 2008;9(1):48-53.
Abstract
Prevention and early detection of the diabetic foot
syndrome (DFS) may reduce markedly the number
of lower limb amputations and diabetes-related
disability.
Patient education and proper shoe selection is the
mainstay of prevention. Early detection of the DFS is
feasible if we are aware of the cascade of events
leading to limb injury i.e. we understand the etiology,
causative factors and risk factors. The next step
is clinical assessment including a history, clinical examinations,
screening for neuropathy and evaluation
of the vessels. Regular foot examinations allow
for early detection of lesions that may result in foot
ulceration and infection. Then the patient is allocated
to a specific risk category for developing complications
such as ulcers and/or infection to determine
the intensity of case management. The risk of the
DFS can be defined according to PEDIS, University of
Texas, Wagner or International Working Group on
the Diabetic Foot 2007.
The key determinant of early detection of the DFS is
a well educated patient and a well educated doctor
who respects the guidelines of the Polish Diabetological
Society. (Diabet. Prakt. 2008; 9: 48-53)
Keywords: diabetic footrisk categoryearly detection