Why You Should Act: Diabetic Foot Infections

Skin and skin suture infections are responsible for an increased number of physician visits between 1997 and 2005.^[1] Foot infections account for 20% of diabetic admissions and account for more hospital days than any other diabetes-related complication.^[2] Amputations are common; 50-70% of all lower extremity amputations occur in diabetics.^{[3, 4]} With prompt, appropriate intervention, disease progression could be prevented and reduce diabetic amputations.   Several studies have demonstrated improved outcomes and lower costs by implementing multi-disciplinary clinical pathways.^[5]

1. National trends in ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescribing for skin and soft-tissue infections.
   Hersh AL, Chambers HF, Maselli JH, Gonzales R. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Jul 28;168(14):1585-91. PMID: 18663172

2. Incidence, outcomes, and cost of foot ulcers in patients with diabetes.
   Ramsey SD, Newton K, Blough D, et al. Diabetes Care 1999; 22: 382–7. PMID: 10097914.

3. Pathways to diabetic limb amputation: basis for prevention.
   Pecoraro RE, Reiber GE, Burgess EM Diabetes Care 1990; 13:513–21. PMID: 2351029.

4. Can aggressive treatment of diabetic foot infections reduce the need for above-ankle amputation?
   Tan JS, Friedman NM, Hazelton-Miller C, Flanagan JP, File TM Jr. Clin Infect Dis 1996; 23:286–91. PMID: 8842265.

5. Diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections.
   Lipsky BA, Berendt AR, Deery HG, et al. Clin Infect Dis. Oct 1 2004;39(7):885-910. PMID: 15472838.