The utility of skin surface temperature measurement in the prediction of diabetic foot ulceration

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q2 DERMATOLOGY

Journal of tissue viability Pub Date : 2025-01-11 DOI:10.1016/j.jtv.2024.100851

Pauline Wilson , Tom O'Connor , Fiona Boland , Aglecia Budri , Zena Moore , Niamh Phelan , Declan Patton

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Abstract

Aim

Temperature is a marker of inflammation. Research has shown that by measuring skin surface temperature in those with a history of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU), tissue damage can be identified early and reduce rates of subsequent DFU. This study considered whether measuring skin surface temperature using infra-red thermometry can identify early tissue damage and inform clinical practice in a general population with Diabetes Mellitus (DM).

Method

The data presented was taken from a prospective observational study of risk factors in patients with Diabetes. As part of this study, temperature measurements using the Flir E6 Infra-red camera were taken from 216 individuals attending outpatient diabetes clinics in a large urban teaching hospital in Ireland as part of a comprehensive diabetic foot assessment. Measurements were taken at foot sites associated with increased risk at baseline received repeat temperature measurement on 2 subsequent occasions in the following week. Any ulceration was subsequently recorded.

Results

Discussion: Of the 216 participants, 4 % (n = 9) developed visual ulceration within 7 days. All of these had been identified at high risk at baseline assessment and had a history of foot disease. A temperature differential of ≥2.2 °C between sites of interest was recorded. Temperature ranges varied from 29.1 °C to 37.6 °C. High temperature was considered if over 35 °C. Of those who developed a diabetic foot ulceration within the 7 day follow up period, 78 % (n = 7) had a high temperature. The remaining 22 % (n = 2) who developed ulceration had a temperature reading in the normal range.

Conclusion

Elevated skin surface temperature was seen prior to the development of DFU in all cases in this study. Initial analysis suggests that neither the 35 °C threshold nor a 2.2 °C temperature difference is indicative of inevitable tissue damage in this population due to the high number of false positives seen.

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来源期刊

Journal of tissue viability DERMATOLOGY-NURSING

CiteScore

3.80

自引率

16.00%

发文量

110

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Tissue Viability is the official publication of the Tissue Viability Society and is a quarterly journal concerned with all aspects of the occurrence and treatment of wounds, ulcers and pressure sores including patient care, pain, nutrition, wound healing, research, prevention, mobility, social problems and management. The Journal particularly encourages papers covering skin and skin wounds but will consider articles that discuss injury in any tissue. Articles that stress the multi-professional nature of tissue viability are especially welcome. We seek to encourage new authors as well as well-established contributors to the field - one aim of the journal is to enable all participants in tissue viability to share information with colleagues.