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Module 5.4: Diabetic Foot

Course intro

This course is ideal for understanding the foot in diabetes (diabetic foot ulcers).

SOCIETY of TISSUE VIABILITY ENDORSED

This module has been through rigorous reviews to achieve endorsement from the Society of Tissue Viability, so it can be used with complete confidence. The endorsement confirms that this module provides clinicians with:

  • High-quality education that meets stated learning objectives and outcomes
  • Material that is free from product bias or promotion
  • Education that is evidence-based
  • Education that is fully accessible to members of the general wound care community

NB - The Society of Tissue Viability Education Endorsements concentrate on the quality and accuracy of the educational content rather than learning techniques or method of delivery.

Time Required

Estimated time to complete course: 3 hours

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course, you should be able to:

  • Identify the risk factors for diabetic foot problems
  • Discuss the management of the diabetic foot and approach to wound care
  • Understand the six stages of the diabetic foot

certificate of completion

In order to receive your certificate for this module, it is necessary to successfully complete the final quiz with a minimum score of 80%.

It is estimated that approximately 415 million people are living with diabetes in the world. This would equate to 1 in 11 of the global adult population. 46% of people with diabetes are undiagnosed. The overall number is expected to rise significantly to 642 million by 2040. (Diabetes UK, 2022)

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) currently states that the top 5 countries with the highest amount of people with diabetes are as follows:

  • China: 109 million
  • India: 69 million
  • USA: 29 million
  • Brazil: 14 million
  • Russian Federation: 12 million

(Diabetes UK, 2020)

People with diabetes are 23 times more likely to have a leg, foot or toe amputation than someone without diabetes, and both ulceration and amputation are associated with high mortality (Kerr, 2017). Treatment for diabetic foot disease may involve amputation. Around 7,000 people with diabetes undergo leg, foot or toe amputation each year in England. Only around half of people with diabetes who have had a diabetic foot ulcer survive for two years. (National Diabetic Foot Care Audit Report 2017)

The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the diabetic population is between 10% and 40%. Recent estimates show PAD is a complicating factor in the management of nearly 65% of all diabetic foot ulcers. Patients with peripheral neuropathy and PAD have higher re-ulceration and amputation rates than those with peripheral neuropathy alone (WUWHS, 2016).