Improving Physical, Physiological, and Psychological Health Outcomes in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers – State of the Art

Abstract

Prashanth Vas,1– 3 Nachiappan Chockalingam2 1Department of Diabetes and Diabetic Foot, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; 2Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, Staffordshire University, Stoke on Trent, UK; 3Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UKCorrespondence: Prashanth Vas, Consultant in Diabetes and Diabetes Foot Medicine, Department of Diabetes and Diabetic Foot, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK, Email [email protected]: Diabetic foot disease is a complex and challenging complication of diabetes mellitus, which imposes a significant burden of disease on patients, their carers, and the wider health systems. Recurrence rates are high, and current evidence indicates a high mortality associated with it. While management algorithms have primarily focused on the physical aspects of healing, there is increasing recognition of the critical role played by psychological and biomechanical factors in the development and resolution of diabetic foot disease. Therefore, in this paper, we aim to explore how diabetic foot outcomes can be improved by addressing not only the physical but also the psychological and biomechanical aspects that are integral to the development of this condition and its optimal resolution. We explore new technologies that allow for non-invasive objective assessment of the diabetic foot at risk, and we also explore the role of understanding biomechanics, which is essential to determining risk of foot disease, but also the potential for recurrence. In addition, we discuss the evidence linking depression and cognitive impairment to diabetic foot disease and offer our insight on the research direction required before implementing novel information into front-line clinics.Keywords: diabetic foot disease, diabetic foot ulceration, biomechanics, technology, mental health and cognition

Keywords

• diabetic foot disease diabetic foot ulceration biomechanics technology mental health and cognition