Diabetic Foot Ulcers Cut Quality of Life
Negative Impact Equals That Reported by Amputees
July 29, 2004 (Seattle) -- People with diabetes who develop foot ulcers suffer more than experts previously realized. The condition may lower quality of life as much as having a foot amputated, according to a study released today at the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's annual summer meeting.
The slow-to-heal sores, which are a result of poor circulation caused by diabetes, often become deep and infected. Diabetic foot ulcers frequently precede amputations relating to poor circulation from diabetes.
The study "clearly shows that the negative impact on quality of life appears to be just as bad" between people with diabetic foot ulcers and those who had had a lower-extremity amputation. "The quality of life is greatly decreased. That's true in both groups," says study author Michael Pinzur, MD, a professor of orthopaedic surgery at Chicago's Loyola University Medical Center.
"This is much worse than we thought," says Pinzur, who wants to bring the problem to the attention of both health care professionals and the general public.
In the study he examined depression, thinking and memory potential, and overall enjoyment of life in 60 adults with diabetes. He compared the results to 20 nondiabetic participants. People with diabetes in his study were either being treated for diabetic foot ulcers or had a lower-extremity amputation.
Quality-of-life scores were significantly lower in both groups of diabetics -- those with foot ulcers and those with amputations. Pinzur says the impact on quality of life affects both groups similarly.
Depression and thinking and memory problems were not noticeably different between the control group and the participants with ulcers or amputations. That may be because this was a small study with few participants. "The next step is studying a much bigger group. We're going to expand on this," says Pinzur, who expects to have results from a larger study on the same topics in a year.
Pinzur says that people with diabetes have an increased incidence of clinical depression, compared with people who do not have diabetes. "That's been known for years," Pinzur says.
There are ways to decrease the risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers. Preventive strategies include patient education, therapeutic footwear, and skin and nail care.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers Cut Quality of Life
Negative Impact Equals That Reported by Amputees
July 29, 2004 (Seattle) -- People with diabetes who develop foot ulcers suffer more than experts previously realized. The condition may lower quality of life as much as having a foot amputated, according to a study released today at the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's annual summer meeting.
The slow-to-heal sores, which are a result of poor circulation caused by diabetes, often become deep and infected. Diabetic foot ulcers frequently precede amputations relating to poor circulation from diabetes.
The study "clearly shows that the negative impact on quality of life appears to be just as bad" between people with diabetic foot ulcers and those who had had a lower-extremity amputation. "The quality of life is greatly decreased. That's true in both groups," says study author Michael Pinzur, MD, a professor of orthopaedic surgery at Chicago's Loyola University Medical Center.
"This is much worse than we thought," says Pinzur, who wants to bring the problem to the attention of both health care professionals and the general public.
In the study he examined depression, thinking and memory potential, and overall enjoyment of life in 60 adults with diabetes. He compared the results to 20 nondiabetic participants. People with diabetes in his study were either being treated for diabetic foot ulcers or had a lower-extremity amputation.
Quality-of-life scores were significantly lower in both groups of diabetics -- those with foot ulcers and those with amputations. Pinzur says the impact on quality of life affects both groups similarly.
Depression and thinking and memory problems were not noticeably different between the control group and the participants with ulcers or amputations. That may be because this was a small study with few participants. "The next step is studying a much bigger group. We're going to expand on this," says Pinzur, who expects to have results from a larger study on the same topics in a year.
Pinzur says that people with diabetes have an increased incidence of clinical depression, compared with people who do not have diabetes. "That's been known for years," Pinzur says.
There are ways to decrease the risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers. Preventive strategies include patient education, therapeutic footwear, and skin and nail care.