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Amputations related to diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Glycaemic control and close follow-up protocols are essential to prevent such ulcers. Coronavirus disease (COVID) related restrictions and regulations might have a negative impact on patients who are with DFU or candidates for DFU. We retrospectively analysed 126 cases that had DFU underwent amputation surgery. Comparative analyses were done between cases that were admitted before COVID restrictions (Group A) and cases admitted after COVID restrictions (Group B). Two groups were homogenic demographically. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of mortality (p = 0.239) and amputation rates (p = 0.461). The number of emergent cases in the pandemic period doubled the number in pre-pandemic period even though this finding was not statistically significant (p = 0.112). Fastly adapted consulting practice and follow-up protocols to compensate for the problems created by COVID-related regulations seem to be effective in terms of mortality and amputation rates., (© 2023 The Authors. International Wound Journal published by Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

With the increase in the diabetic foot patients in recent decades, the caregivers of diabetic foot patients increase too. Most of these caregivers are informal caregivers. However, the studies examining the burden of the caregivers and affecting factors are limited. This study was conducted to determine the burden of the caregivers of diabetic foot patients and affecting factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted between the January and October 2020 in a diabetic foot council of a university hospital. Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale and a participant identification form were used for data collection. Most of the caregivers were female (75.2%) and the mean age was 51.27 ± 11.48 years. The burden of the caregivers was at moderate level in the current study. Factors affecting the caregivers' burden were caregivers' age, patients' family structure, caregivers' education level, caregivers' income level, hours per week spending for the care of the patients, and lack of choice., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the foot care self-efficacy of diabetic foot patients and the effect of an educational intervention for improving it. This study was of a semi-experimental design and was conducted between January and December 2019 in a diabetic foot council of a university hospital. After power analysis to determine sample size, 33 participants meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. A Patient Identification Form and Diabetic Foot Care Self-Efficacy Scale (DFCSES) were used to collect data. Of the patients, 51.5% were male and the mean age was 54.91 ± 16.61 years. The mean score of DFCSES was 50.18 ± 20.88 before education and 72.67 ± 20.74 after education. The educational intervention has large effects on self-efficacy ( d = 1.233), perceived knowledge level on diabetic foot ( d = 1.102), perceived health status ( d = 0.859), and perceived quality of life ( d = 0.807). Educational intervention was found to be an effective way to improve foot care self-efficacy, perceived knowledge level on diabetic foot, perceived health status, and perceived quality of life.

This is an open, prospective, comparative parallel-arm medical device clinical study of Dermalix (Dx) in diabetic foot wounds. Dx is a 3-dimensional collagen-laminin porous-structured dermal matrix prepared and additionally impregnated with resveratrol-loaded hyaluronic acid and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine-based microparticles. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Dx, an investigational medical device, in Wagner 1 and 2 wounds in comparison to a standard wound care (SWC) that consists of irrigation and cleaning with sterile saline solution. Forty-eight patients were randomized to receive either SWC or SWC + Dx. A 4-week treatment period was followed by a 2-month follow-up without treatment. The wound area measurement, total collagen, vascular epidermal growth factor, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1, caspase 3, glutathione, reduced/oxidized glutathione, and lipid peroxidation levels were evaluated. At the end of 4 weeks, the percentage closures of wounds were determined as 57.82% for Dx, and 26.63% for SWC groups. Dx had a significant effect on tumor necrosis factor, caspase 3, and reduced/oxidized glutathione levels. Dx provided 2 times faster wound healing and decreased oxidative stress. Application of Dx in the first phase of wound would help the wound area heal faster with a safe profile.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that has become a global health problem. As the population of people with diabetes is growing worldwide, the prevalence of complications associated with DM, such as diabetic foot, also increases. Neuropathy and high plantar pressure are the two most frequent causes of foot ulceration. Since diabetic wounds tend to heal slowly, it is crucial to prevent diabetic foot ulcers before they occur. In this study, the efficacy of a sock developed for diabetes in the previous research of the authors was investigated in a clinical study with the participation of patients with diabetes over a 6-month period. At the end of the study, it was observed that none of the participants had experienced any new ulcers, bacterial or fungal infections, or callus formation during this research. Moreover, a slight decrease in pressure was observed for the first, second, and third metatarsal bones when the socks were worn on day 1. On the other hand, pressure reduction was identified for the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones in all following measurements. However, analyses revealed that duration of usage did not have a statistically significant effect on overall plantar pressure. It was also found that pressure on the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones significantly decreased. Assessment of wearing comfort revealed the satisfaction of the patients, as well. Based on the promising outcomes of this clinical evaluation, these socks developed for people with diabetes can be strongly expected to help avoid diabetic foot ulcers.

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 476–481 Objectives: To evaluate whether type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) enlarged and if so the quantum of such increase in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), MMP-13 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1). Methods: Subjects (n = 73) were divided into five groups as follows: 12 DM patients with gingivitis (DM-G), 12 DM patients with periodontitis (DM-P), 12 systemically healthy patients with gingivitis (H-G), 13 systemically healthy patients with periodontitis (H-P) and 24 periodontally, systemically healthy volunteer subjects (H-C). Full-mouth clinical periodontal measurements were performed at six sites per tooth. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were obtained from two sites representing the clinical periodontal diagnosis in single-rooted teeth. Gingival crevicular fluid levels of MMP-8, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 were analysed by immunofluorometric MMP assay (IFMA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were tested statistically by parametric tests. Results: All clinical periodontal measurements were similar in both diabetic and systemically healthy patients with periodontal disease (all P > 0.05). Total amounts of MMP-8 in GCF samples were significantly lower in H-C group than DM-G, DM-P, H-P groups (all P < 0.05). Matrix metalloproteinase-13, TIMP-1 total amounts were similar in study groups (P > 0.05). Diabetes mellitus patients exhibited similar levels of MMP-8, MMP-13, TIMP-1 with systemically healthy gingivitis/periodontitis patients (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, DM does not seem to significantly affect GCF levels of MMP-8, MMP-13, TIMP-1 or clinical periodontal status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]