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World J Diabetes. Jan 15, 2022; 13(1): 27-36
Published online Jan 15, 2022. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v13.i1.27
Management of diabetic foot ulcers and the challenging points: An endocrine view
Hakan Doğruel, Mustafa Aydemir, Mustafa Kemal Balci
Hakan Doğruel, Mustafa Aydemir, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Akdeniz University Hospital, Konyaaltı 07059, Antalya, Turkey
Mustafa Kemal Balci, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Konyaaltı 07059, Antalya, Turkey
Author contributions: Doğruel H, Aydemir M, and Balci MK conceived and designed the study; Doğruel H and Aydemir M searched the literature; Doğruel H drafted the article; Aydemir M and Balci MK made critical revisions; all authors gave final approval for the article.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There is no conflict of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hakan Doğruel, MD, Doctor, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Akdeniz University Hospital, Dumlupınar street Campus/Antalya, Konyaaltı 07059, Antalya, Turkey. dogruelhakan@gmail.com
Received: May 31, 2021
Peer-review started: May 31, 2021
First decision: June 23, 2021
Revised: July 18, 2021
Accepted: December 11, 2021
Article in press: December 11, 2021
Published online: January 15, 2022
Processing time: 224 Days and 13.7 Hours
Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are one of the most challenging complications of diabetes. Up to one-third of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) may suffer from DFUs during their life. DFU is one of the leading causes of morbidity in patients with DM. The treatment period is challenging, and the recurrence rate of DFUs is high. Hence, establishing prevention strategies is the most important point to be emphasized. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary in the prevention and treatment of DFUs. Patients at risk should be identified, and prevention measures should be taken based on the risk category. Once a DFU is formed, the appropriate classification and evidence-based treatment interventions should be executed. Glycemic control, diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease, local wound care, diagnosis, and treatment of infection should be addressed along with the proper evaluation and management of general health status.

Keywords: Diabetic foot; Diabetic foot ulcer; Amputation; Diabetic foot infection

Core Tip: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder with dramatic complications. Nearly one-third of patients with diabetes may suffer from foot ulcers during their life. A potentially preventable event usually has dramatic results. The prevention and management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) necessitate a multidisciplinary approach. The most important approach is the prevention of the formation of DFU. Prevention measures should be implemented in a timely manner, and adequate treatment interventions should be executed immediately once it is formed.