糖尿病足溃疡感染多重耐药铜绿假单胞菌的危险因素及预后分析

目的 探讨糖尿病足溃疡（DFU）感染多重耐药铜绿假单胞菌（MDRPA）的危险因素及其对预后的影响. 方法 将117例DFU感染铜绿假单胞菌（PA）患者根据是否感染MDRPA分为非MDR-PA（N-MDRPA）组和MDRPA组,分析DFU感染MDRPA的危险因素及其对预后的影响. 结果 入院前抗生素应用史、入院前因同一溃疡住院史和骨髓炎是DFU患者感染MDRPA的独立危险因素.MDRPA组较N-MDRPA组截肢/趾率高（32.6％ vs 16.2％,P＜0.05）,治愈率低（20.9％vs41.9％,P＜0.05）. 结论 入院前抗生素应用史、入院前因同一溃疡住院史和骨髓炎是DFU患者感染MDRPA的独立危险因素.MDRPA可导致创面预后差,增加截肢/趾风险.     

Efficacy of shock wave therapy on chronic diabetic foot ulcer: A single-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on the healing rate, wound surface area and wound bed preparation in chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFU).MethodsThirty eight patients with 45 chronic DFU were randomly assigned into; the ESWT-group (19 patients/24 ulcers) and the control-group (19 patients/21 ulcers). Blinded therapist measured wound surface area (WSA), the percentage of reduction in the WSA, rate of healing and wound bed preparation at baseline, after the end of the interventions (W8), and at 20-week follow-up (W20). The ESWT group received shock wave therapy twice per week for a total of eight treatments. Each ulcer was received ESWT at a frequency of 100 pulse/cm², and energy flux density of 0.11 mJ/cm². All patients received standardized wound care consisting of debridement, blood-glucose control agents, and footwear modification for pressure reduction.ResultsThe overall clinical results showed completely healed ulcers in 33.3% and 54% in ESWT-groups and 14.28% and 28.5% in the control group after intervention (W8), and at follow-up (W20) respectively. The average healing time was significantly lower (64.5 ± 8.06 days vs 81.17 ± 4.35 days, p < 0.05) in the ESWT-group compared with the control group.ConclusionESWT-treated ulcers had a significant reduction in wound size and median time required for ulcer healing, with no adverse reactions. So, the ESWT is advocated as an adjunctive therapy in chronic diabetic wound.     

Home-Based Electrical Stimulation to Accelerate Wound Healing—A Double-Blinded Randomized Control Trial

Background:Electrical stimulation (E-Stim) may offer a unique adjunctive treatment to heal complicated diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Our primary goal is to examine the effectiveness of daily home-based E-Stim therapy to speed-up wound healing.Methods:Patients with chronic DFUs and mild to severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were recruited and randomized to either control (CG) or intervention (IG) groups. The IG received 1-hour home-based E-Stim therapy on daily basis for 4 weeks (4W). E-Stim was delivered through electrical pads placed above the ankle joint using a bio-electric stimulation technology (BEST^®) platform (Tennant Biomodulator^® PRO). The CG was provided with an identical but non-functional device for the same period. The primary outcome included wound area reduction at 4W from baseline (BL).Results:Thirty-eight patients were recruited and 5 were removed due to non-compliance or infection, leaving 33 participants (IG, n = 16; CG, n =17). At 4W, the IG showed a significant wound area reduction of 22% (BL: 7.4 ± 8.5 cm² vs 4W: 5.8 ± 8.0 cm², P = 0.002). Average of wound area was unchanged in the CG (P = 0.982). The self-report adherence to daily home-therapy was 93.9%.Conclusions:Daily home-based E-Stim provides early results on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of E-Stim as an adjunctive therapy to speed up wound healings in patients with chronic DFU and mild to severe PAD.     

Outpatient clinic attendance and outcomes among patients hospitalized with diabetic foot ulcers

BackgroundThere are limited data on post-hospital discharge clinic attendance rates and outcomes among patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).MethodsRetrospective study of patients hospitalized with a DFU from 2016 to 2019 in a large public hospital. We measured rates and predictors of clinic attendance with providers involved with DFU care within 30 days of hospital discharge (“30-day post-discharge clinic attendance”). Log-binomial regression was used to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI).ResultsAmong 888 patients, 60.0 % were between 45 and 64 years old, 80.5 % were Black, and 24.1 % were uninsured. Overall, 478 (53.8 %) attended ≥1 30-day post-discharge clinic appointment. Initial hospital outcomes were associated with clinic attendance. For example, the RR of 30-day post-discharge clinic attendance was 1.39 (95%CI 1.19–1.61) among patients who underwent a major amputation compared to patients with DFUs without osteomyelitis and did not undergo an amputation during the initial hospitalization. Among 390 patients with known 12-month outcome, 71 (18.2 %) had a major amputation or died ≤12 months of hospital discharge.ConclusionWe found a low post-discharge clinic attendance and high post-discharge amputation and death rates among patients hospitalized with DFUs. Interventions to increase access to outpatient DFU care are needed and could prevent amputations.     

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factor Analysis for Lower-Extremity Amputations in Diabetic Patients With Foot Ulcer Complicated by Necrotizing Fasciitis

Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of having diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) or necrotizing fasciitis (NF). The present study aims to examine the clinical characteristics and associated risk factors for lower-extremity amputation (LEA) in patients with DFU complicated by NF.We retrospectively reviewed patients treated at a major diabetic foot center in Taiwan between 2009 and 2014. Of the 2265 cases 110 had lower-extremity NF. Limb preservation outcomes were classified as major LEA, minor LEA, or limb-preserved. Clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and bacterial culture results were collected for analysis.Of the 110 patients with NF, 100 had concomitant DFUs (NF with DFU) and the remaining 10 had no DFU (NF without DFU). None of the NF patients without DFU died nor had their leg amputated. Two NF patients with DFU died of complications. The amputation rate in the surviving 98 NF patients with DFU was 72.4% (46.9% minor LEA and 25.5% major LEA). Seventy percent of the NF patients without DFU had monomicrobial infections (60% with Streptococcus species), and 81.4% NF patients with DFU had polymicrobial infections. Anaerobic organisms were identified in 66% of the NF patients with DFU. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed an association between high-grade Wagner wound classification (Wagner 4 and Wagner 5) and LEA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 21.856, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.625–203.947, P = 0.02 and aOR = 20.094, 95% CI = 1.968–205.216, P = 0.01 for major and minor LEA, respectively) for NF patients with DFU. In addition, a lower serum albumin level was associated with major LEA (OR = 0.066, P = 0.002).In summary, once DFUs were complicated by NF, the risk of amputation increased. Empirical treatment for NF patients with DFU should cover polymicrobial infections, including anaerobic organisms. The high-grade wound classification and low serum albumin level were associated with LEA.     

Healing of diabetic foot ulcers is independently associated with the use of angiotensin receptor blockers but not with those of diuretics and angiotensin conversion enzyme inhibitors

Aim. Dysregulation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) has been proven in diabetic animal models, and studies in humans show that diuretic use is associated with lower limb amputation in diabetes. While patients with diabetes are often treated with diuretics and RAS blockers, the association between wound healing and these treatments is still unknown. We aimed to determine whether the use of diuretics and RAS blockers could influence healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU).Methods. Two hundred seventy-six patients referred to a specialized diabetes foot care unit for a new foot ulcer were included in this retrospective observational study.Results. Healing rate was significantly higher in patients not treated with diuretics than in those receiving diuretics (75.9 vs. 62.9%, P = 0.026) and in patients treated with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) than in those not treated with ARB (79.5 vs 64.4%, P = 0.012). The difference was not significant for angiotensin conversion enzyme inhibitor use. ARB use was independently and positively associated with wound healing in a multivariate adjusted model including several factors affecting wound healing (odds ratio (OR) 2.79 [1.13, 6.86] P = 0.025). Diuretic use was negatively associated with wound healing in univariate analysis (OR 0.54 [0.32, 0.91] P = 0.02) but not in multivariate adjusted analysis (OR 0.53 [0.26, 1.10] P = 0.088).Conclusions. This novel study found that ARB use is independently and positively associated with wound healing in 276 patients with DFU. On the contrary, diuretics were associated with healing rate only at univariate analysis. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.     

Evaluation of a comprehensive diabetic foot ulcer care quality model

AimsDiabetes-related amputations are typically preceded by a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) but models to assess the quality of care are lacking. We investigated a model to measure inpatient and outpatient quality.MethodsCohort study among adults hospitalized with a DFU to a safety-net hospital during 2016. We measured adherence to DFU-related quality metrics based on guidelines during and 12 months following hospitalization. Inpatient metrics included ankle-brachial index measurement during or 6 months prior to hospitalization, receiving diabetes education and a wound offloading device prior to discharge. Outpatient metrics included wound care ≤30 days of discharge, in addition to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≤8%, tobacco cessation, and retention in care (≥2 clinic visits ≥90 days apart) 12 months following discharge.Results323 patients were included. Regarding inpatient metrics, 8% had an ankle brachial index measurement, 37% received diabetes education, and 20% received offloading prior to discharge. Regarding outpatient metrics, 33% received wound care ≤30 days of discharge. Twelve months following discharge, 34% achieved a HbA1c ≤8%, 13% quit tobacco, and 52% were retained in care. Twelve-month amputation-free survival was 71%.ConclusionsOur model demonstrated large gaps in DFU guideline-adherent care. Implementing measures to close these gaps could prevent amputations.     

Treatment of chronic plantar ulcer of the diabetic foot using an irremovable windowed fibreglass cast boot: prospective study of 177 patients

The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of healing of chronic neuropathic plantar ulcers, using an irremovable windowed fibreglass cast boot, which is only opened after healing. A single‐centre prospective study of a cohort of 177 diabetic patients with chronic neuropathic plantar ulcers was carried out. The duration of neuropathic plantar ulcers was 604 ± 808 days, with a mean surface area of 4.6 ± 6.5 cm², a mean depth of 1.04 ± 1.08 cm and a mean volume of 5.9 ± 17.7 cm³. After a mean of 96 days of wearing a windowed fibreglass cast boot (min 9 days, max 664 days and median 68 days), the level of healing reached 83.6%, although 29 patients did not heal (16.4%). The compliance was at 95%. NPUs with bigger volumes (p = 0.037) and those located at the heels ( p = 0.004) had significantly lower healing levels. Twenty‐one patients had moderate peripheral arterial disease (12%), and 24 patients were ostectomized for underlying osteomyelitis (14%), before inclusion. Moderate peripheral arterial disease (p = 0.970) or operated osteomyelitis (p = 0.128) did not modify the level of healing significantly, which were of 81% and 70.8%, respectively. Complications include 12 ulcers due to the windowed fibreglass cast boot (i.e. 7%) and two other ulcers being moderately infected, resulting in 2% of toe amputation, but there was no major amputation or phlebitis. The treatment of old and deep NPUs of the diabetic foot by wearing a windowed fibreglass cast boot without opening the boot prior to healing offers very high ulcer recovery levels. Windowed fibreglass cast boots were changed in only 26 cases (14.6%). In addition, compliance was excellent and of the order of 95%. Furthermore, moderate peripheral arterial disease or a recent ostectomy did not affect the efficacy of windowed fibreglass cast boot. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The independent contribution of diabetic foot ulcer on lower extremity amputation and mortality risk

AimsTo estimate 3-year risk for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), lower extremity amputation (LEA) and death; determine predictive variables and assess derived models accuracy.Material and MethodsRetrospective cohort study including all subjects with diabetes enrolled in our diabetic foot outpatient clinic from beginning 2002 until middle 2010. Data were collected from clinical records.Results644 subjects with mean age of 65.1 (± 11.2) and diabetes duration of 16.1 (± 10.8) years. Cumulative incidence was 26.6% for DFU, 5.8% for LEA and 14.0% for death. In multivariate analysis, physical impairment, peripheral arterial disease complication history, complication count and previous DFU were associated with DFU; complication count, foot pulses and previous DFU with LEA and age, complication count and previous DFU with death. Predictive models’ areas under the ROC curves ranged from 0.80 to 0.83. A simplified model including previous DFU and complication count presented high accuracy. Previous DFU was associated with all outcomes, even when adjusted for complication count, in addition to more complex models.ConclusionsDFU seems more than a marker of complication status, having independent impact on LEA and mortality risk. Proposed models may be applicable in healthcare settings to identify patients at higher risk of DFU, LEA and death.     

Evidence of greater severity of diabetic foot ulcers during COVID-19 pandemic: A real-life single-centre cohort study

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.     

Outcomes of surgical treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis: a series of 185 patients with histopathological confirmation of bone involvement

Aims/hypothesis  We analysed the factors that determine the outcomes of surgical treatment of osteomyelitis of the foot in diabetic patients given early surgical treatment within 12 h of admission and treated with prioritisation of foot-sparing surgery and avoidance of amputation. Methods  A consecutive series of 185 diabetic patients with foot osteomyelitis and histopathological confirmation of bone involvement were followed until healing, amputation or death. Results  Probing to bone was positive in 175 cases (94.5%) and radiological signs of osteomyelitis were found in 157 cases (84.8%). Staphylococcus aureus was the organism isolated in the majority of cultures (51.3%), and in 35 cases (36.8%) it proved to be methicillin-resistant. The surgical treatment performed included 91 conservative surgical procedures, which were defined as those where no amputation of any part of the foot was undertaken (49.1%). A total of 94 patients received some degree of amputation, consisting of 79 foot-level (minor) amputations (42.4%) and 15 major amputations (8%). Five patients died during the perioperative period (2.7%). Histopathological analysis revealed 94 cases (50.8%) of acute osteomyelitis, 43 cases (23.2%) of chronic osteomyelitis, 45 cases (24.3%) of acute exacerbation of chronic osteomyelitis and three remaining cases (1.6%) designated as ‘other’. The risks of failure in the case of conservative surgery were exposed bone, the presence of ischaemia and necrotising soft tissue infection. Conclusions/interpretation  Conservative surgery without local or high-level amputation is successful in almost half of the cases of diabetic foot osteomyelitis. Prospective trials should be undertaken to determine the relative roles of conservative surgery versus other approaches.     

Autologous platelet-rich gel in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: A retrospective study

This study retrospectively investigated the effectiveness and safety of autologous platelet-rich gel (APRG) for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). In this retrospective study, we reviewed the electronic medical records (EMR) of 72 patients with DFU. The patients were allocated to a treatment group (n = 36) or a control group (n = 36). The patients in both groups received standard care (SC) and dressing change. In addition, patients in the treatment group also received APRG. Patients in both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The outcomes were DFU healing time (days), length of hospital stay (days), healing rate of DFU, DFU surface area reduction (cm²), and adverse events. We assessed and analyzed the outcomes before and after the 12-week treatment period. After treatment, there were significant differences in DFU healing time (P = .04), length of hospital stay (P = .04), DFU healing rate, and DFU surface area reduction (P < .01). Regarding safety, no EMR reported adverse events in this study. The results of this study showed that the APRG may benefit patients with DFU. However, high-quality prospective randomized controlled trials are required to verify these findings.     

Leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) as a regenerative medicine strategy for the treatment of refractory leg ulcers: a prospective cohort study

Chronic wounds (VLU: venous leg ulcer, DFU: diabetic foot ulcer, PU: pressure ulcer, or complex wounds) affect a significant proportion of the population. Despite appropriate standard wound care, such ulcers unfortunately may remain open for months or even years. The use of leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) to cure skin ulcers is a simple and inexpensive method, widely used in some countries but unknown or neglected in most others. This auto-controlled prospective cohort study explored and quantified accurately for the first time the adjunctive benefits of topical applications of L-PRF in the management of such refractory ulcers in a diverse group of patients. Forty-four consecutive patients with VLUs (n = 28, 32 wounds: 17 ≤ 10 cm² and 15 > 10 cm²), DPUs (n = 9, 10 wounds), PUs (n = 5), or complex wounds (n = 2), all refractory to standard treatment for ≥3 months, received a weekly application of L-PRF membranes. L-PRF was prepared following the original L-PRF method developed more than 15 years ago (400g, 12 minutes) using the Intra-Spin L-PRF centrifuge/system and the XPression box kit (Intra-Lock, Boca Raton, FL, USA; the only CE/FDA cleared system for the preparation of L-PRF). Changes in wound area were recorded longitudinally via digital planimetry. Adverse events and pain levels were also registered. All wounds showed significant improvements after the L-PRF therapy. All VLUs ≤ 10 cm², all DFUs, as well as the two complex wounds showed full closure within a 3-month period. All wounds of patients with VLUs > 10 cm² who continued therapy (10 wounds) could be closed, whereas in the five patients who discontinued therapy improvement of wound size was observed. Two out of the five PUs were closed, with improvement in the remaining three patients who again interrupted therapy (surface evolution from 7.35 ± 4.31 cm² to 5.78 ± 3.81 cm²). No adverse events were observed. A topical application of L-PRF on chronic ulcers, recalcitrant to standard wound care, promotes healing and wound closure in all patients following the treatment. This new therapy is simple, safe and inexpensive, and should be considered a relevant therapeutic option for all refractory skin ulcers.     

Risk factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer-free survival in patients with diabetes

Aims

This study was done to assess the risk factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer-free survival in patients with diabetes.

The impact of creatinine clearance on the outcome of diabetic foot ulcers in north Indian tertiary care hospital

AimWound healing has been reported to be poor in diabetic patients with impaired kidney functions that usually accompanies retinopathy and neuropathy. The insensitive foot is vulnerable to repeated trauma and development of ulcer precedes 70–80% of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation. The present study was aimed to study the impact of creatinine clearance (CCre) on the outcome of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU).Materials and methodsData from 162 DFU patients admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology of J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India, between December 2009 and March 2011 were analyzed. Detailed history and patient's profile, grade of DFU, co-morbidities and complications, laboratory data, microbiological profile and final outcome were collected. CCre was calculated according to MDRD formula.ResultsThe study revealed that, DFU healing was worst in patients with decreased CCre than in those who had normal CCre. Other factors associated with poor outcome were, higher grade of ulcer, infection type (subcutaneous and osteomyelitis) and biofilm infection. Amputation rates were also found to be higher in those with poor renal functions.ConclusionsThe results suggest that CCre is an important factor affecting wound healing in patients with DFUs. The automatic reporting of eGFR each time a serum creatinine concentration is requested will increase the awareness of significant kidney dysfunction in clinical practice especially in DFU patients and appropriate measures will improve the outcome.     

Case of type 2 diabetes possibly caused by excessive accumulation of visceral fat in a child born small‐for‐gestational age

We encountered a 12‐year‐old boy with type 2 diabetes who was born small‐for‐gestational age. We described his clinical characteristics and a possible etiological factor for development of hyperglycemia. He developed well with sufficient nutrition and progressed to being overweight at 6 years‐of‐age as a result of a high‐calorie, high‐protein intake diet. He showed a diabetic pattern with a normal insulin response on an oral glucose tolerance test carried out with the urine glucose screening program at schools. He showed a large total fat area of 239.4 cm²; in particular, his visceral fat area was 103.0 cm² with a high ratio of visceral fat area to subcutaneous fat area (0.76). The present case might show that insulin resistance, possibly as a result of accumulation of a great amount of visceral fat, might be attributed to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in children born small‐for‐gestational age.     

Topical application of the bee hive protectant propolis is well tolerated and improves human diabetic foot ulcer healing in a prospective feasibility study

AimsPropolis is a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory bee derived protectant resin. We have previously reported that topically applied propolis reduces inflammation and improves cutaneous ulcer healing in diabetic rodents. The aim of this study was to determine if propolis shows efficacy in a pilot study of human diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) healing and if it is well tolerated.MaterialsSerial consenting subjects (n = 24) with DFU ≥ 4 week's duration had topical propolis applied at each clinic review for 6 weeks. Post-debridement wound fluid was analyzed for viable bacterial count and pro-inflammatory MMP-9 activity. Ulcer healing data were compared with a matched control cohort of n = 84 with comparable DFU treated recently at the same center.ResultsUlcer area was reduced by a mean 41% in the propolis group compared with 16% in the control group at week 1 (P < 0.001), and by 63 vs. 44% at week 3, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, 10 vs. 2% (P < 0.001), then 19 vs. 12% (P < 0.05) of propolis treated vs. control ulcers had fully healed by weeks 3 and 7, respectively. Post-debridement wound fluid active MMP-9 was significantly reduced, by 18.1 vs. 2.8% week 3 from baseline in propolis treated ulcers vs. controls (P < 0.001), as were bacterial counts (P < 0.001). No adverse effects from propolis were reported.ConclusionsTopical propolis is a well-tolerated therapy for wound healing and this pilot in human DFU indicates for the first time that it may enhance wound closure in this setting when applied weekly. A multi-site randomized controlled of topical propolis now appears to be warranted in diabetic foot ulcers.     

The effect of topical olive oil dressing on the healing of grade 1 and 2 diabetic foot ulcers: An assessor-blind randomized controlled trial in type 2 diabetes patients

Background and aimsWe aimed to compare the effect of topical olive oil dressing plus standard care with standard care alone on the treatment of grade 1 and 2 diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.MethodsThis assessor-blind randomized controlled trial included 60 T2DM patients with DFU referred to the Diabetes Clinic of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran, from February 21 to August 22, 2017. Patients were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The intervention group received standard care, including wound irrigation with normal saline and oral antibiotics plus daily topical olive oil dressing for four weeks, and the control group only received standard care. The wound healing assessment scale (wound degree, color, drainage, and surrounding tissue healing) was recorded weekly and the total wound status was determined at the end of the study.ResultsTreatment with olive oil led to significantly higher scores of ulcer degree, color, drainage, and surrounding tissue healing at weeks one, two, three and four in the olive oil group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Also, the total wound status score was higher in the olive oil group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The proportions of completely healed, partially healed, and unhealed wounds were 76.6%, 23.3% and 0% in the intervention group, and 0%, 93.3% and 6.7% in the control group, respectively.ConclusionsTopical olive oil dressing promoted the healing of DFU and it can be recommended as a safe and effective treatment in this regard.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20150607022585N4. Registered 05/12/2018. Retrospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/trial/19460.     

Diabetic foot ulcer and multidrug‐resistant organisms: risk factors and impact

Aims The primary objective was to characterize factors allowing the colonization of diabetic foot wounds by multidrug‐resistant organisms (MDRO), and the secondary objective was to evaluate the influence of MDRO colonization/infection on wound healing. Methods In 180 patients admitted to a specialized diabetic foot unit, microbiological specimens were taken on admission. Potential risk factors for MDRO‐positive specimens were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Prospective follow‐up data from 75 patients were used to evaluate the influence of MDRO colonization/infection on time to healing. Results Eighteen per cent of admission specimens were positive for MDRO. MDRO‐positive status was not associated with patient characteristics (age, sex, type of diabetes, complications of diabetes), wound duration, or wound type (neuropathic or ischaemic). In the multivariate analysis, the only factors significantly associated with positive MDRO status on admission were a history of previous hospitalization for the same wound (21/32 compared with 48/148; P = 0.0008) or the presence of osteomyelitis (22/32 compared with 71/148; P = 0.025). In the longitudinal study of 75 wounds, MDRO‐positive status on admission or during follow‐up (6 months at least or until healing, mean 9 ± 7 months) was not associated with time to healing (P = 0.71). Conclusion MDROs are often present in severe diabetic foot wounds. About one‐third of patients with a history of previous hospitalization for the same wound, and 25% of patients with osteomyelitis, had MDRO‐positive specimens. This suggests that hygiene measures, or isolation precautions in the case of admission of patients presenting with these characteristics, should be aggressively implemented to prevent cross‐transmission. Positive MDRO status is not associated with a longer time to healing.     

Conservative management of osteomyelitis in the feet of diabetic patients

Experience of conservative management of osteomyelitis in a specialized, multidisciplinary, diabetic foot clinic was reviewed. The records of all patients attending the clinic over a 10-year period were examined retrospectively, and 22 patients with overt osteomyelitis were identified. Median age was 66 (31–87) years. In 12 cases the bone infection was a complication of a pre-existing ulcer; the most prevalent organism cultured from swabs was Staphylococcus aureus. The main site of infection was the first toe. The total duration of antibiotic treatment was 12 weeks (median, range 5–72), and clindamycin was the most commonly used oral agent. Four patients did not respond to initial conservative therapy and proceeded to amputation, while 1 patient responded clinically but had a recurrence of osteomyelitis at the same site 6 years later. In the remaining 17 patients resolution of osteomyelitis was achieved with conservative management over a median period of follow-up of 27 (range 5–73) months. The success of conservative therapy with prolonged courses of oral antibiotics challenges conventional advice that excision of infected bone is essential in the management of osteomyelitis affecting the foot in diabetes. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.