LOS ANGELES, 03 July 2023 – Today, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released an important publication, “Diabetic Foot Ulcers”. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of diabetic foot ulcers, their causes, and cutting-edge management strategies. Authored by a team of renowned experts, this publication aims to equip healthcare professionals, researchers, and individuals affected by diabetes with the knowledge to effectively prevent, diagnose, and treat diabetic foot ulcers.
Diabetic foot ulcers pose a significant global challenge. Approximately 18.6 million people worldwide are affected by a diabetic foot ulcer each year, including 1.6 million people in the United States. These ulcers precede 80% of lower extremity amputations among people diagnosed with diabetes and are associated with an increased risk of death. Recognizing the urgent need for accurate information and guidance in this field, “Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Review” serves as an invaluable resource for healthcare practitioners seeking to enhance patient care and outcomes.
Key Features of “Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Review” include:
- In-depth examination of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of diabetic foot ulcers.
- Comprehensive description of screening for risk of diabetic foot ulcers.
- Providing step by step guide how to assess diabetic foot ulcers (classification, evaluating infection, evaluating peripheral artery disease).
- Evidence-based insights into effective management strategies.
- Analysis of innovative treatment options, including among others advanced wound care techniques and wound healing therapies.
- Discussion of multidisciplinary approaches to diabetic foot ulcer management.
The authors of this publication are internationally renowned experts in the field of diabetes and wound care, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to this comprehensive review. David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD, podiatric surgeon with Keck Medicine of USC, professor of surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, director of the Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) and also founding president of ALPS noted that “The big idea from this comprehensive manuscript is that it highlights the importance of teams as well as technology in helping to stem the very high volume of DFUs and amputations in people with diabetes, worldwide.” By synthesizing the latest research and clinical insights, they have created a go-to resource that bridges the gap between theory and practice. It consists of practical methods of screening, assessment, and flowcharts for systematic interdisciplinary treatment of these frequently complex conditions.
The full article can be found here.
For further details, please contact Alison Evans, ALPS Communication & Marketing Coordinator at alison@alpslimb.org.
About the Authors
David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD: Dr. Armstrong, podiatric surgeon with Keck Medicine of USc and professor of surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC is most widely known for his work in amputation prevention, the diabetic foot, and wound healing. He is also the founding president of ALPS.
Tze-Woei Tan, MD, MBBS, MPH: Dr. Tan believes in combining a personal approach to health care with the latest evidence-based technology. He has extensive clinical experience in minimally invasive procedures and open surgery to treat peripheral artery disease and carotid artery disease, as well as an interest in complex hemodialysis and vascular access.
Andrew J. M. Boulton, MD, DSc: Dr. Boulton is Professor of Medicine with a special interest in diabetes and its complications at the University of Manchester and Consultant Physician at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Sicco A. Bus, PhD: Dr. Bus is a human movement scientist and a professor of clinical biomechanics and principal investigator at Amsterdam University Medical Centers in the Netherlands.
About ALPS
We at ALPS have made it our vision to eliminate preventable amputations over the next generation. We believe this can be achieved by promoting interdisciplinary teams to advance the science, clinical care, advocacy, awareness, and education of limb preservation through increased access to resources and specialized care that improves patient-centered outcomes.