Diabetic foot (synonym: diabetic foot syndrome, DFS; ICD-10-GM E14.5-: Unspecified diabetes mellitus, with diabetic foot syndrome, referred to as derailed) is a complication that can occur with diabetes mellitus (diabetes).
Diabetic foot is characterized by ulceration (ulceration) or wounds that are difficult to heal.
Approximately 50% of diabetic foot cases are due to neuropathic (due to nerve damage) lesions, up to 35% are neuropathic-ischemic lesions (diabetic neuropathy), and approximately 15% are due to ischemic (due to circulatory disturbances; diabetic angiopathy) lesions.
The prevalence (disease frequency) of foot ulcer is 2-10% of all diabetics. In those over 50 years of age or type 2 diabetics, the prevalence is 5-10%. In younger patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the prevalence is 1.7-3.3%.
Progression and prognosis: Often the development of a diabetic foot is not noticed. Only when ulcerations form on the feet is the disease noticed. The ulcerations may become extensive. In the worst case, amputation of parts of the foot becomes necessary. If therapy is started early, amputation can be prevented. In any case, treatment of a diabetic foot should be performed by a diabetic physician. Diabetic foot ulcers are often recurrent (recurring). One study reported recurrence rates of 34% after 1 year, 61% after 3 years, and 70% after 5 years.
Diabetes patients account for 70% of all amputations.
Comorbidities (concomitant diseases): one in two patients with diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) has peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAVD; progressive narrowing or occlusion of the arteries supplying the arms/ (more commonly) legs, usually due to atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries)).
