Impact of Diabetic Foot Multidisciplinary Unit on Incidence of Lower-Extremity Amputations by Diabetic Foot.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

One of the most devastating complications of diabetes is diabetes-related foot disease (DFD), which is a priority for public health systems. The 2016-2020 Catalonia Health Plan aimed to reduce the incidence of total and major lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) due to DFD by 10% in the population aged 45-74 years. The aim of the present study was to compare the incidence of LEA-DFD 5 years before and after the creation of the Diabetic Foot Multidisciplinary Unit at our Hospital.

METHODS:

We prospectively collected all cases of LEA-DFD performed at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020. Cases of LEA-DFD performed from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence of LEA-DFD between these periods was compared.

RESULTS:

A total of 457 LEAs due to DFD were performed in 316 patients. We observed a reduction of 27.9% [CI: 23.7-32.1%] in the incidence of total LEA in the 2016-2020 period in comparison with the period 2011-2016 (0.8 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 per 10.000 inhabitants/year, p < 0.001), as well as a reduction of 49.3% [CI: 44.6-53.9%] in the incidence of major LEA-DFD (0.15 ± 0.1 vs. 0.30 ± 0.1 per 10.000 inhabitants/year, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The implementation of a Diabetic Foot Multidisciplinary Unit resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of amputations due to DFD in the population with diabetes in North Barcelona.

• Authors: Ángel Ortiz-Zúñiga, Jordi Samaniego, Betina Biagetti, Nicolás Allegue, Anna Gené, Andrea Sallent, Almudena Crespo, Jordi Serracanta, Carme Torrents, Daniela Issa, Danilo Rivas, Maria Teresa Veintemillas, Núria Fernández-Hidalgo, Rosa Busquets, Josep Royo, Cristina Hernández
• Journal: Journal of clinical medicine (J Clin Med) Vol. 12 Issue 17 (Aug 28 2023) ISSN: 2077-0383 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 37685675 (Publication Type: Journal Article)