Diabetes mellitus: What is diabetic foot syndrome – One of the most dangerous complications

There are 2,500 lower limb amputations that take place every year in our country due to the complications of diabetes. Of these, 50% are major, i.e. above the knee or below the knee, while smaller amputations are also made, such as e.g. one finger.

Today, 6-8% of the general adult population worldwide has type 2 diabetes and according to estimates, this percentage in the next 10-15 years will increase to 10%.

50% of diabetes patients are undiagnosed and when they are diagnosed, they are already in the complication phase. In addition, 30% of patients with diabetes mellitus will at some point experience some tissue damage, that is, they will have diabetic foot syndrome.

Diabetic foot – and by extension diabetic foot syndrome – is one of the most dangerous complications of diabetes mellitus and is the most common cause of hospitalization in hospitals and nursing units. The key to treatment is prevention.

The above was pointed out by the professor of vascular surgery of AUTH, Kyriakos Ktenidis, speaking to APE-MPE on the sidelines of an event for the public, on the topic of prevention and treatment of diabetic foot syndrome, which was held as part of the scientific two-day event “Vascular Days 2023”.

What is diabetic foot syndrome?

“There is diabetic foot syndrome, there is also diabetic foot. By definition they are two different things. Any functional anatomical disorder in the foot of a diabetic, without a non-specialist seeing something macroscopically, is called a diabetic foot. But when symptoms appear on the foot, such as a wound or a callus or a transformation or deformation of the bones, then it is a more advanced condition and we are talking about the diabetic foot syndrome – that is, something more complex. These are congenital conditions. What we need to know is that diabetic foot syndrome is more complex and more difficult to manage. It is good to catch the patient in the diabetic foot phase and not the syndrome, which is a more complex nosological condition. The diabetic foot – and by extension the diabetic foot syndrome – is one of the most dangerous developments in the life of the patient with diabetes mellitus and is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in hospitals and nursing units. In Greece there are 2500 amputations per year. Of these, 50% are major, i.e. above or below the knee, there is finger removal, there may be small amputations. Don’t let the number scare us. We know that 30% of patients with diabetes mellitus will at some point have some tissue damage, that is, they will have diabetic foot syndrome. And what is the key? The key is prevention,” said Mr. Ktenidis.

What should be done for prevention

For intake, as Mr. Ktenidis mentioned, the patient with diabetes should regulate his sugar and be examined at least once a year by a diabetologist. He should also have regular physical activity every day, take care of his feet, but not neglect the other organs as well.

“Diabetes is an insidious disease, which does not hurt but slowly damages the eyes, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, skin, feet and so on. It is the most common cause of blindness in the patient. 50% of patients with diabetes are undiagnosed and diagnosed in the complication phase. There is a gap in patient information, which is why we, in the context of the conference we are organizing, have as our main concern the information of patients. Unfortunately, the incidence of diabetes is increasing. While today 6-8% of the general adult population has diabetes, it is estimated that in 10-15 years it will be 10% and this is mainly due to our lifestyle. That’s why we say, those who are obese must start the process of being checked from the age of 45. Also, those with a family history should be screened. They should not wait for the symptoms, which often appear too late in adult type 2 diabetes. Those at high risk should be tested every six months in the first year and then annually. And they should not only control diabetes, because the appearance of diabetes involves at least three other major risk factors, which are important for the human body. They must be checked by a cardiologist, a nephrologist and an angiologist or vascular surgeon”, pointed out Mr. Ktenidis.

RES-EMP

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