Los Angeles, CA — January 12th, 2024
In a momentous acknowledgment of innovative multidisciplinary limb preservation research, Dr. David G Armstrong, the founding president of the American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS), podiatric surgeon with Keck Medicine of USC, and professor of surgery and neurological surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, has engaged in a collective effort with a team of experts in the creation of a pioneering paper titled “Evaluation and Management of Diabetes-related Foot Infections.” This groundbreaking collaboration has been prominently featured among the top 5 papers in the prestigious Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Journals for 2023.
The IDSA, encompassing Clinical Infectious Diseases, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, and Open Forum Infectious Diseases, extends its heartfelt gratitude to exceptional authors and expert peer reviewers for their meticulous and inventive research that has significantly enriched the field in 2023. The Editors-in-Chief, including Paul Sax, MD; Cynthia L. Sears, MD; and Roger J. Bedimo, MD, have handpicked 5 outstanding papers representing substantial contributions to the field.
Dr. Armstrong, in conjunction with his esteemed colleagues, including co-authors Dr. Nicolas W Cortes-Penfield, Dr. Meghan B Brennan, Dr. Maya Fayfman, Dr. Jonathan H Ryder, Dr. Tze-Woei Tan, and Dr. Marcos C Schechter, has delved into the critical realm of Diabetes-related Foot Infections (DFIs). The paper addresses the global prevalence of diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFUs), highlighting the dismal prognosis and the heightened risk of amputation in patients with DFIs. Additionally, it sheds light on the disparities faced by Black, Hispanic, Native, rural, and low-income communities in the face of DFIs.
A decade after the IDSA DFI guidelines emphasized the need for the effective application of existing knowledge, Dr. Armstrong and his interdisciplinary team passionately advocate for the involvement of multidisciplinary DFI teams as the key to reducing major amputations. Their narrative review not only brings together experts in infectious diseases, endocrinology, podiatry, and vascular surgery to discuss shared decision-making in DFI care but also underscores the importance of collaborative efforts across diverse specialties. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of modern research and guidance from the International Working Group for the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF), emphasizing the importance of a unified approach to limb preservation.
Three key collaborators on the project, Dr. Tze-Woei Tan, double board-certified in Vascular Surgery and General Surgery, serving as a podiatric surgeon with Keck Medicine and associate professor of clinical surgery and director of the Limb Salvage Research Program at the Keck School of Medicine of USC; Dr. Marcos C Schechter, an Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine and a distinguished Emory Infectious Diseases physician; and Dr. Meghan B Brennan, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and a valuable member of the Infectious Disease Faculty, are integral members of the American Limb Preservation Society. They have played essential roles in DFCon, the Annual Conference of ALPS, and the Premier Interdisciplinary Diabetic Foot Conference in North America, contributing their unique perspectives to the cooperative and multidisciplinary approach advocated by ALPS. Their expertise and collaborative contributions highlight the inclusive spirit and unwavering commitment to limb preservation within the ALPS community.
This groundbreaking interdisciplinary collaboration underscores the profound impact of DFIs on patients’ lives and the paramount importance of a holistic approach to care. The team emphatically emphasizes the role of antimicrobial therapy as one component of comprehensive DFI care, urging clinicians to address social determinants of health and ardently advocate for policies such as Medicaid expansion to improve outcomes.
The success of this research not only contributes valuable insights into the global challenge of DFIs but also serves as a testament to the efficacy of a multidisciplinary approach in elevating patient outcomes. By fostering teamwork among experts from infectious diseases, endocrinology, podiatry, and vascular surgery, the paper exemplifies ALPS’ core mission of eliminating preventable amputations through interdisciplinary teamwork. This achievement reinforces the pivotal role that collaborative efforts play in advancing limb preservation practices and achieving ALPS’ overarching goal of improving patient care and outcomes.
Read more about the 2023 ISDA Top Papers here: https://academic.oup.com/idsa/pages/best-of-idsa-journals
For more information about Dr. Armstrong’s work and upcoming initiatives, please contact:
Alison Evans
American Limb Preservation Society
Email: Alison@alpslimb.org
About ALPS
The American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS) is a leading organization dedicated to advancing the prevention and management of limb-threatening conditions. ALPS fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals and advocates for research and education to improve patient outcomes.
About IDSA Journals
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Journals, including Clinical Infectious Diseases, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, and Open Forum Infectious Diseases, are esteemed publications in the field of infectious diseases, publishing cutting-edge research to advance understanding and treatment.