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Objectives: Examine the effect of COVID-19 on chronic wound care service provision for Medicare beneficiaries in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Method(s): This retrospective analysis of Medicare claims data included beneficiaries who received care for diabetic foot ulcers and infections, arterial ulcers;skin disorders and infections, surgical wounds and infections;traumatic wounds;venous ulcers and infections, unspecified chronic ulcers, and others. We extracted all claims for each targeted beneficiary across all care settings and from the Medicare Beneficiary Summary File for 2019 to 2021. The outcomes were: 1) prevalence of each wound type, 2) Medicare expenditures by wound type, and expenditures by type of service. Result(s): Over the 3-year period, the number of Medicare beneficiaries with a wound generally decreased in 2020, then increased in 2021 to a higher level than in 2019. In 2019, 16.4% of Medicare beneficiaries (10.6M) had at least one type of wound. In 2020, 14.9% of Medicare beneficiaries (9.8M) were diagnosed with wounds (a decrease of 7.1%), and in 2021, 16.1% of Medicare beneficiaries (10.8M) were diagnosed with wounds, an increase of 1.9% from 2019. In 2021, approximately 2.7% of beneficiaries had a claim with a wound diagnosis that had been added in FY2020, or 0.4% of all Medicare beneficiaries. The prevalence of COVID-19 among beneficiaries with chronic wounds was 896,198 (9.1%) in 2020, rising to 1.2M (11.1%) in 2021. Using our mid-range estimates of Medicare expenditures, wound care totaled $24.7B in 2019, $23.9B in 2020, and $26.3B in 2021. Conclusion(s): These results emphasize the ongoing prevalence of chronic wounds among Medicare beneficiaries and suggest the decrease in care during the pandemic contributed to a relative increase in care and expenditures in 2021. We found a shift in the site of care from skilled nursing facilities toward home health as individuals sought to avoid COVID-19 exposure.Copyright © 2023
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Intro: Kodamaea ohmeri, previously known as Pichia ohmeri, is an ascomycetous yeast that has emerged as an important cause of fungemia in immunocompromised patients. During the anamorphic stage this organism is also known as Candida guillermondii var. membranaefaciens. Method(s): We report five cases of Kodamaea ohmeri encountered from multicenter in Malaysia. Antifungal agent of choice will be discussed based on literature review. Finding(s): The cases were: (1) a contaminated peritoneal fluid in an adult patient on peritoneal dialysis;(2) a 60-year-old man with infected diabetic foot isolated K. ohmeri from a bone sample. Both cases discharged well without active antifungal fungal therapy. We observed fatality cases involving (3) an old man with underlying gastric adenocarcinoma who complicated with catheter- related bloodstream infection caused by K. ohmeri;(4) a patient with ventilator- associated pneumonia and septicaemic shock secondary to perforated terminal ileum;(5) and a severely ill COVID-19 stage 5b patient who passed away due to systemic fungaemia caused by K. ohmeri. Discussion(s): All three fatal cases received either amphotericin B or caspofungin as active antifungal agent. Literature evidence has shown that 40% of patient met demise despite on active antifungal agent, suggesting that currently no definitive antifungal agent proven to be a superior treatment option for K. ohmeri infection. Removal of indwelling medical device combined with antifungal therapy has favorable clinical outcome. Conclusion(s): Therefore, K. ohmeri infection in severely ill patients should be considered as a critical condition. Potential of alternative antifungal combinations need to be explored for an effective treatment option.Copyright © 2023
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OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of different amputation levels in diabetic foot patients and the incidence of repetitive foot surgeries and evaluate the factors causing a delay in hospital stay and amputation of patients. METHODOLOGY: This prospective cohort study was conducted in Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau, Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. The study selected 375 participants from the clinic's daily patient inflow from October 2021 to March 2022 using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Those who had a delay in hospital stay and amputation were further followed up from May-October 2022. The chi-square test and Kruskal Wallis test (p-value <0.05) were used to correlate the effect of the level of lower limb amputation and the cause of delay in amputation using SPSS version 24.0. RESULT(S): Total 246(65.60%) were males and 129(34.40%) were females. Toe amputation was the most commonly seen amputation in 173(46.1%) participants. About 168(44.8%) patients had some in-hospital delay stay during their treatment. Preoperative hurdles (Uncontrolled RBS, Osteomyelitis, etc.) were the most common factor causing an in-hospital delay in 92(24.5%) patients. The level of amputation performed was found to be statistically significant with factors causing a delay in hospital stay through chi-square (p=0.003*) and Kruskal Wallis test H (2) statistic= 13.3, df = 3, H (2), P=0.004*). CONCLUSION(S): Diabetic foot is a frequent cause of amputation globally, majorly in developing countries like Pakistan. On-time provision of treatment to these patients can decline the global amputation rate due to diabetic foot ulcers.Copyright © 2023 Syeda Anjala Tahir.
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Objective: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are complications of diabetes mellitus. COVID-19 pandemic has massively impacted human health. We studied effect of COVID-19 on outcome of DFUs. Method(s): We recruited 483 people with DFU from June 2020-April 2022 (pandemic group) together with a matched group of 227 people with DFU from March 2019-March 2020 (pre-pandemic group). Matching was done with respect to glycemic control (Average HbA1c in pandemic group 9.15%;pre-pandemic group 8.92%), and renal status. Primary endpoint was outcome of ulcers- healed or undergone amputation. Primary outcome was further sub analyzed in the 3 waves of COVID-19 Secondary endpoint was healing of individual types of DFUs. Basic anthropometric data with site, nature and Wegner's grading of DFUs were collected. Diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy was done by monofilament testing and peripheral arterial disease by handheld Doppler and ABI. Standardized treatment protocol including glycemic control, infection control, debridement, dressing, offloading was provided. All patients were monitored for >6 months. Result(s): In pandemic cohort of 483 patients 323(66.9%) patients had healed ulcers, 70(14.5%) had minor amputation, 11(2,2%) had major amputation, 29(6%) lost to follow up, 22(4.6%) had not healed and 28 are in follow up (5.8%). Rate of healing of DFU in pandemic group was higher (66.9%) than control group (53.5%). Similarly, rate of amputation in pandemic group was less (16.7%) than pre-pandemic group (23.4%). Among healed ulcers in pandemic group, non-infected neuropathic ulcers healed better (77.8%;199/256) than other types (54.6%;124/227) [p< 0.00001]. Similarly, rate of amputation (major/minor) in ischemic and neuroischemic ulcers in pandemic group was more (32.3%;11/34) than other types (15.6%;70/449) [p= 0.011]. Rate of healing of foot ulcers in 1st wave was 65.4% (53/81), 2nd wave 75.2% (158/210), 3rd wave 58.3% (112/192). Neuropathic ulcers though less prevalent in first two waves (49.8%;145/291) than 3rd wave (57.8%;111/192) healing rate was more in first two (79.3%;115/145 vs 75.6%;84/111). [p=0.488 (statistically not significant]. Ischemic and neuroischemic ulcers were more in 3rd wave (7.8%;15/192) than first two waves (6.5%;19/291) and undergone more amputation (46.7%;7/15 vs 15.7%;3/19). [p=0.58 (statistically not significant;due to small sample size]. Discussion/Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic (mainly first two waves) accounted for travel restrictions contributing to better healing of neuropathic ulcers whereas ischemic and neuroischemic ulcers worsened and underwent more amputation as patients could not seek intervention. Conversely, in third wave withdrawal of COVID restrictions lead to worsening of DFUs leading to less healing and more amputation.Copyright © 2023
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This editorial accompanies "Diabetes-Related Major and Minor Amputation Risk Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic," by Dominick J. Casciato, DPM, Sara Yancovitz, DPM, John Thompson, DPM, Steven Anderson, DPM, Alex Bischoff, DPM, Shauna Ayres, MPH, CHES, and Ian Barron, DPM, available at https://doi.org/10.7547/20-224.
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BACKGROUND: Along with significant case transmission, hospitalizations, and mortality experienced during the global Sars-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, there existed a disruption in the delivery of health care across multiple specialties. We studied the effect of the pandemic on inpatients with diabetic foot problems in a level-one trauma center in Central Ohio. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients necessitating a consultation by the foot and ankle surgery service were reviewed from the first 8 months of 2020. A total of 270 patients met the inclusion criteria and divided into pre-pandemic (n = 120) and pandemic groups (n = 150). Demographics, medical history, severity of current infection, and medical or surgical management were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The odds of undergoing any level of amputation was 10.8 times higher during the pandemic versus before the pandemic. The risk of major amputations (below-the-knee or higher) likewise increased with an odds ratio of 12.5 among all patients in the foot and ankle service during the pandemic. Of the patients undergoing any amputation, the odds for receiving a major amputation was 3.1 times higher than before the pandemic. Additionally, the severity of infections increased during the pandemic and a larger proportion of the cases were classified as emergent in the pandemic group compared to the pre-pandemic group. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the pandemic on the health-care system has had a deleterious effect on people with diabetes-related foot problems resulting in more severe infections, more emergencies, and necessitating more amputations. When an amputation was performed, the likelihood it was a major amputation also increased.Editor's Note: This Original Article accompanies "Diabetes-Related Amputations: A Pandemic within a Pandemic," by Lee C. Rogers, DPM, Robert J. Snyder, DPM, and Warren S. Joseph, DPM, FIDSA, available at https://doi.org/10.7547/20-248.
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BACKGROUND: A decrease in the frequency of amputations due to diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is one of the parameters that determine the quality of medical care for patients with diabetes mellitus.AIM: Our aim was to study the indicators characterizing medical care for patients with lower limb pathology in diabetes mellitus in St. Petersburg from 2010 to 2021.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Annual reports on the treatment of patients with DFS in city hospitals specializing in the sur-gical treatment of DFS and in outpatient offices 'Diabetic foot >> (DFO) from 2010 to 2021 were analyzed.RESULTS: The average number of patients per year admitted to the DFO was 18,527 (34,440 visits). Proportion of patients with foot ulcers - 8,9%, with Charcot's arthropathy - less than 1%. Before 2020, the frequency of above the foot amputations decreased from 48.3% to 8.6%, hospital mortality - from 11.7 to 5.7%, the number of revascularizations increased from 37 to 642 per year. The increase in operational activity was not accompanied by a decrease in the frequency of amputations (59.3% in 2019). Of all amputations, 11.3% were patients referred from DFO. During the epidemic, the number of visits and patients admitted to the DFO decreased by 27,3% and 31%, respectively. The proportion of foot ulcers and the frequency of amputations have not changed. Inpatient care was characterized by a decrease in operational activity, a decrease in the availability of revascularization, a 2-fold increase in the proportion of high amputations and an increase in hospital mortality from 5.7% in 2019 to 14.9% in 2021. CONCLUSION: An analysis of the statistics of specialized care for patients with DFS over 12 years showed the reduction of the frequency of high amputations, but revealed an increase in the frequency of surgical interventions in DFS against the background of an almost unchanged proportion of amputations in the structure of all operations. Despite significant quan-titative indicators, the outpatient service seems to be insufficiently effective in reaching the target population. The negative impact of the epidemic has led to a significant increase in the frequency of high amputations and mortality.
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Aim: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are linked to morbidity, decreased mobility, and feelings of isolation, powerlessness and sadness. The aim of our study was to explore the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in adult patients with DFU. Method(s): We analysed questionnaires completed by patients with DFU attending our University Hospital Multidisciplinary Foot Clinic service over a one-month period in March 2022. The patients had completed three questionnaires, comprising of questions relating to socio-demographic status and care perceptions, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale to assess depression, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) to assess anxiety. Result(s): Of the 60 patients who completed the questionnaires, 35% (n=21) reported anxiety symptoms and 40% (n=24), depressive symptoms. Individuals with comorbidities were three times more likely to report depression relative to those without any comorbidities (OR 3.3;95% CI 1.13-12.56). Younger individuals (less than 50 years), were almost nine times more likely to report anxiety in comparison to those aged 60 years or more (adjusted OR 8.9;95% CI 1.01-86.41), despite adjustment for confounding variables. Conclusion(s): The prevalence of depression and anxiety in this cohort of patients with DFU was low, but those who were affected reported moderate to severe symptoms. Younger individuals and those with comorbid conditions with DFU are more likely to experience an adverse impact on their mental health. This is a crucial factor to consider in the management of people undergoing DFU care. Strategies to reduce anxiety and/or depressive symptoms could impact both quality of life and wound healing. Copyright © 2023 John Wiley & Sons.Copyright © 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has a heavy burden on the approach of diabetic foot care worldwide. We aim to determine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on patients with diabetic foot (DF). Materials and methods This population-based cohort study included all patients diagnosed with the diabetic foot from 2019-2020 (pre-lockdown) and 2020-2021 (post-lockdown) in a tertiary center of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results Among all the participants (n=358), a non-significant difference was found between amputation rate during and before the COVID-19 pandemic (P-value=0.0983). Also, it showed a significantly higher percentage of patients who had acute lower limb ischemia compared to those having it before the pandemic (P-value=0.029). Conclusions and relevance In conclusion, our study found that the COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with excess amputations along with mortality rate, as the management during the pandemic showed adequate diabetic foot care by improving the prevention methods through hospital protocol restrictions and facilitating access to virtual clinics.
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BACKGROUND: The coronavirus pandemic has had an extremely negative impact on the patients with diabetes mellitus (DM both in terms of a more severe course of COVID -19 and an increased risk of death. AIM: Analysis of risk factors for death due to COVID -19 in patients with DM type 1 and type 2 (DM1 and DM2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the database of the national diabetes register (NDR), which included DM patients with COVID-19 and reported virus infection outcome (recovery/or death) in 15 712 DM1 and 322 279 DM2 patients during a 2-year follow-up period (01/02/2020 to 03/04/2022) (discharge date)). RESULT(S): Case fatality rate in patients with DM, who underwent COVID -19 was 17.1% (DM1-8.8%;DM2-17.5%). As a result of multivariate regression analysis of seven significant factors in DM1 and thirteen in DM2 (evaluated by univariate anlisys), a number of the most important predictors of risk for fatal outcome were identified: in DM1 these were age >=65 years (OR =4.01, 95% CI: 1.42-11.36), presence of arterial hypertension (AH) (OR =2.72, 95% CI: 1.03 -7.16) and diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) (OR = 7.22, 95% CI: 1.98-26.29);for T2DM: age >= 65 years (OR =2.53, 95% CI: 1.96-3.27), male (OR =1.51, 95% CI: 1.23-1.84), duration DM >=10 years (OR =2.01, 95% CI: 1.61-2.51), BMI >= 30 kg/m2 (OR =1.26, 95% CI: 1.02-1.55), ASCVD/CKD (OR =1.49, 95% CI: 1.01-2.04), history of diabetic coma (OR =12.97, 95% CI: 1.89-88.99) and presence of disability (OR =1.40, 95% CI: 1.14-1.73). In T2DM, the type of antidiabetic therapy (ADT) prior to COVID -19 (last visit before the development of infection) had a significant impact: Insulin therapy (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.30-2.07), sulfonylureas (SU) (OR =1.51, 95% CI: 1.23-1.84));dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (iDPP-4) therapy (OR =0.57, 95% CI: 0.39-0.83) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (iSGLT2) therapy (OR =0.64, 95% CI: 0.46-0.88). Vaccination was the most important protective factor in both types of DM: DM1 OR =0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.59;SD2 OR =0.20, 95% CI: 0.16-0.26. CONCLUSION(S): The common risk factor for fatal outcome in both DM1 and DM2 was age >=65 years;in DM1 - history of hypertension and DFS, in DM2 - male sex, diabetes duration >=10 years, BMI >=30 kg/m2, history of ASCVD/CKD and diabetic coma, disability. In T2DM, significant differences in risk were observed depending on the type of ADT: insulin and SU therapy were factors that increased the risk of death, whereas therapy with iDPP-4 and iSGLT2 reduced the risk of death. Vaccination reduced the risk of death in DM1 and DM2 by 5.2 and 5-fold, respectively.Copyright © Endocrinology Research Centre, 2022.
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Diabetic foot disease is a severe invalidiza-ting complication of diabetes mellitus, which is associated with significant comorbidity, reduced life expectancy and quality of life of the affected person, and with several fold increased burden for health care system as well. It is the leading cause for non-traumatic lower limb amputations. According to its features, diabetic foot disease is a heterogeneous condition. In its pathogenesis are combined metabolic, hemodynamic, mechanical, infectious and genetic factors. There is no single evaluation scale for this diabetic complication, but are present different classifications, which account for neurological, vascular and structural damage, inflammatory state, concomitant diseases, previous ulcers and amputations. In this way, risk category of each patient is defined, which determines the therapeutical plan, the need for hospitalization, the prognosis and the follow-up interval. Due to its multifactorial aspects, diabetic foot disease is approached in interdisciplinary manner. Integrated foot care by highly skilled specialists in combination with structured patient education about self-care and self-monitoring, could reduce diabetic foot wounds with up to 85%. It is also estimated that in 85% of cases lower limb amputations among people withdiabetes are pre-ceded by ulcers, which highlights the significance of the aforementioned measures. During COVID-19 pandemic there are additional risks for worsening of people with diabetic foot. In conclusion, in most cases diabetic foot disease and its consequences are potentially preventable, which determines the paramount importance of revising and timely applying the latest guidelines on its diagnosis and management.Copyright © 2021 Medical Information Center. All rights reserved.
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Diabetic foot disease is a severe invalidiza-ting complication of diabetes mellitus, which is associated with significant comorbidity, reduced life expectancy and quality of life of the affected person, and with several fold increased burden for health care system as well. It is the leading cause for non-traumatic lower limb amputations. According to its features, diabetic foot disease is a heterogeneous condition. In its pathogenesis are combined metabolic, hemodynamic, mechanical, infectious and genetic factors. There is no single evaluation scale for this diabetic complication, but are present different classifications, which account for neurological, vascular and structural damage, inflammatory state, concomitant diseases, previous ulcers and amputations. In this way, risk category of each patient is defined, which determines the therapeutical plan, the need for hospitalization, the prognosis and the follow-up interval. Due to its multifactorial aspects, diabetic foot disease is approached in interdisciplinary manner. Integrated foot care by highly skilled specialists in combination with structured patient education about self-care and self-monitoring, could reduce diabetic foot wounds with up to 85%. It is also estimated that in 85% of cases lower limb amputations among people withdiabetes are pre-ceded by ulcers, which highlights the significance of the aforementioned measures. During COVID-19 pandemic there are additional risks for worsening of people with diabetic foot. In conclusion, in most cases diabetic foot disease and its consequences are potentially preventable, which determines the paramount importance of revising and timely applying the latest guidelines on its diagnosis and management.Copyright © 2021 Medical Information Center. All rights reserved.
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BACKGROUND: A decrease in the frequency of amputations due to diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is one of the parameters that determine the quality of medical care for patients with diabetes mellitus. AIM: Our aim was to study the indicators characterizing medical care for patients with lower limb pathology in diabetes mellitus in St. Petersburg from 2010 to 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Annual reports on the treatment of patients with DFS in city hospitals specializing in the surgical treatment of DFS and in outpatient offices <<Diabetic foot>> (DFO) from 2010 to 2021 were analyzed. RESULT(S): The average number of patients per year admitted to the DFO was 18,527 (34,440 visits). Proportion of patients with foot ulcers - 8,9%, with Charcot's arthropathy - less than 1%. Before 2020, the frequency of above the foot amputations decreased from 48.3% to 8.6%, hospital mortality - from 11.7 to 5.7%, the number of revascularizations increased from 37 to 642 per year. The increase in operational activity was not accompanied by a decrease in the frequency of amputations (59.3% in 2019). Of all amputations, 11.3% were patients referred from DFO. During the epidemic, the number of visits and patients admitted to the DFO decreased by 27,3% and 31%, respectively. The proportion of foot ulcers and the frequency of amputations have not changed. Inpatient care was characterized by a decrease in operational activity, a decrease in the availability of revascularization, a 2-fold increase in the proportion of high amputations and an increase in hospital mortality from 5.7% in 2019 to 14.9% in 2021. CONCLUSION(S): An analysis of the statistics of specialized care for patients with DFS over 12 years showed the reduction of the frequency of high amputations, but revealed an increase in the frequency of surgical interventions in DFS against the background of an almost unchanged proportion of amputations in the structure of all operations. Despite significant quantitative indicators, the outpatient service seems to be insufficiently effective in reaching the target population. The negative impact of the epidemic has led to a significant increase in the frequency of high amputations and mortality.Copyright © Endocrinology Research Centre, 2022.
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Introduction and Objectives: Limited healthcare access and resource inequities pose significant barriers to care, all of which have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. DFUs represent an especially challenging medical problem to prevent and treat due to the resource intensive care required. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of multidisciplinary, mobile, DFU outreach clinics to improve access to care. Method(s): Our clinic model focused on creating mobile diabetic foot clinics staffed by volunteer clinical providers who specialize in Vascular Surgery, Diabetes, and Podiatry. We recruited volunteer healthcare providers from an academic medical center. We partnered with local community centers with established programs providing services to unhoused individuals. Result(s): Between June 2020 and August 2022, a total of 130 unhoused individuals were seen at four mobile clinics set up at different locations. Diabetic foot care was provided by volunteers from seven departments: Endocrinology/Diabetes, Vascular Surgery and Vascular Lab, Podiatry, Addiction Medicine, Smoking Cessation, and Financial. On average, 32 healthcare provider volunteers participated at each clinic. Services provided include: vitals, blood glucose, HgA1c, lipid panel testing, ankle-brachial index, podiatric exam, wound care, medical education, COVID vaccination/booster, insurance enrollment, and new socks and shoes. Of 130 unhoused patients, 29% had hypertension (38), 34% had abnormal ABI (44), and 14% had diabetes (18). Fifteen patients were further identified as high risk for developing DFU-associated amputation (12%) and were provided with ambulatory follow-ups. Conclusion(s): In our pilot experience, it is feasible to provide consistent comprehensive DFU care through mobile outreach clinics. By using the infrastructure of partner organizations and healthcare expertise of an academic center, our clinics could integrate into existing community services. [Formula presented]Copyright © 2022
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AIMS: In the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic era, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) manifested more severe forms of Sars-Cov-2 with greater mortality than non-diabetic patients. Several studies documented more aggressive forms of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) during the pandemic period even though the results were not unanimously confirmed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical-demographic differences between a cohort of Sicilian diabetic patients hospitalised for DFU in the pre-pandemic 3 years and a cohort of patients hospitalised in the pandemic 2 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eleven patients from the pre-pandemic period 2017-2019 (Group A) and 86 patients from the pandemic period 2020-2021 (Group B) with DFU, admitted to the division of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the University Hospital of Palermo, were retrospectively evaluated. The clinical assessment of the type, staging and grading of the lesion, and the infective complication from DFU was performed. RESULTS: No differences in HbA1c values were observed between the two groups. Group B showed a significantly higher prevalence of male subjects (p = 0.010), neuro-ischaemic ulcers (p < 0.001), deep ulcers with involvement of bones (p < 0.001), white blood count levels (p < 0.001), and reactive C protein (p = 0.001) compared to group A. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that in the COVID-19 pandemic, a greater severity of ulcers requiring a significantly greater number of revascularisations and more expensive therapy, but without an increase in the amputation rate, was observed. These data provide novel information on the impact of the pandemic on diabetic foot ulcer risk and progression.
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COVID-19 , Diabetes Mellitus , Diabetic Foot , Humans , Male , Female , Diabetic Foot/therapy , Cohort Studies , Pandemics , Retrospective Studies , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , Risk Factors , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Purpose: Lower extremity amputation resulting from diabetic foot ulcer, with neuropathic and/or ischemic etiologies, remains a devastating and costly complication of diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated changes in care delivery of diabetic foot ulcer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A longitudinal assessment evaluating the ratio of major lower extremity amputation to minor lower extremity amputations after implementation of novel strategies to combat access restrictions was compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. Methods: The ratio of major to minor lower extremity amputation (i.e. the high-to-low ratio) was assessed at two academic institutions, the University of Michigan, and University of Southern California, in a population of patients with diabetes who had direct access to multidisciplinary foot care clinics in the 2 years prior to the pandemic and the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Patient characteristics and volumes including patients with diabetes and those with a diabetic foot ulcer were similar between eras. In addition, inpatient diabetic foot-related admissions were similar, but were suppressed by government shelter in placed mandates and subsequent COVID-19 variants surges (e.g. delta, omicron). In the control group, the Hi-Lo ratio increased every 6 months by an average of 11.8%. Meanwhile, following STRIDE implementation during the pandemic, the Hi-Lo ratio reduced by (-)11% (p < 0.001) and doubled limb salvage efforts as compared to the baseline era. The reduction of the Hi-Lo ratio was not influenced significant by patient volumes or inpatient admissions for foot infections. Conclusion: These findings signify the importance of podiatric care in the at-risk diabetic foot population. Through strategic planning and rapid implementation of at-risk diabetic foot ulcer triage, multidisciplinary teams were able to maintain accessible care during the pandemic which resulted in a reduction of amputations. Furthermore, this manuscript highlights the value of the Hi-Lo ratio as an indicator of institutional limb salvage efforts.