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Foot Temperature Monitoring May Prevent Diabetic Ulcerations
Foot Temperature Monitoring May Prevent Diabetic Ulcerations -- Posted by Gumbo on 12-24-04 06:15
Foot Temperature Monitoring May Prevent Diabetic Ulcerations
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - At-home self-monitoring of foot skin
temperatures may be an effective way of preventing foot complications in
patients at high risk for diabetes-related lower-extremity ulceration and
amputation.
In a study published in the November issue of Diabetes Care, Dr. Lawrence A.
Lavery, of Texas A&M Health Science Center, in Temple, and colleagues
examined the effectiveness of at-home infrared temperature monitoring for
the prevention of lower-extremity ulceration and amputation in 85 at-risk
patients. The patients were randomly assigned to standard therapy (n = 41)
or enhanced therapy (n = 44).
Patients in the standard therapy group received therapeutic footwear,
diabetic foot education, and regular foot evaluation by a podiatrist.
Those in the enhanced therapy group received standard care plus a handheld
infrared skin thermometer to measure temperatures on the sole of the foot in
the morning and evening. If elevated temperatures (greater than 4 degrees F
compared to the other foot) were detected, the patients were considered at
risk of ulceration and were instructed to reduce their activity and contact
the study nurse. Patients were followed for 6 months.
Nine (20%) foot complications were observed in the standard therapy group,
compared with one (2%) complication in the enhanced therapy group (p =
0.01).
Seven ulcers and two Charcot fractures occurred in the standard therapy
group. Infections developed in two patients and local foot amputations were
performed.
In contrast, "in the enhanced therapy group, one patient developed an
ulcer," Dr. Lavery and colleagues report. "No infections, amputations, or
Charcot fractures were identified in the enhanced therapy group."
Diabetes Care 2004;27:2642-2647.
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