Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of diabetic foot: A comprehensive review

Q2 Health Professions

Foot Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-28 DOI:10.1016/j.foot.2026.102225

Tirumala Reddy Pavithra, Rajaganapathy Kaliyaperumal

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent one of the most debilitating and costly complications of diabetes mellitus, leading to substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. Their global incidence continues to rise in parallel with the increasing prevalence of diabetes and aging populations.

Objective

To critically review the epidemiology, pathophysiological pathways, and contemporary management strategies of diabetic foot, with emphasis on translational advances and emerging therapeutic directions.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted utilising the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for publications from 2015 to 2025 employing the terms ‘diabetic foot ulcer,’ ‘management,’ ‘therapy,’ ‘regeneration,’ and ‘emerging treatment.’ Only studies published in English that concentrate on clinical or translational advancements in diabetic foot care were included. Reviews, case reports, and irrelevant articles were omitted. Following the evaluation of 286 records, 132 studies were selected for synthesis.

Results

Chronic hyperglycemia drives neuropathy, vasculopathy, and persistent inflammation, impairing the normal wound healing cascade. Standard management—including glycemic control, debridement, infection management, pressure offloading, and advanced dressings—remains essential. However, novel therapies such as bioengineered skin scaffolds, recombinant growth factors, stem cell applications, nanotechnology-based delivery systems, and negative-pressure wound therapy are transforming the field. Despite technological promise, widespread implementation remains challenged by regulatory and economic constraints.

Conclusion

The future of diabetic foot care lies in multidisciplinary, precision-based paradigms integrating smart biomaterials, gene therapy, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine. These convergent technologies hold the potential to revolutionize wound healing outcomes and reduce the global burden of diabetic complications.

查看原文本刊更多论文

糖尿病足的流行病学，病理生理学和管理：一个全面的回顾。

背景：糖尿病足溃疡（DFUs）是糖尿病最严重和最昂贵的并发症之一，导致大量的发病率、死亡率和医疗负担。随着糖尿病患病率的增加和人口老龄化，其全球发病率继续上升。目的：回顾糖尿病足的流行病学、病理生理途径和当代管理策略，重点介绍转化进展和新兴治疗方向。方法：利用PubMed、Scopus和Web of Science数据库对2015年至2025年的出版物进行系统的文献检索，检索术语为“糖尿病足溃疡”、“管理”、“治疗”、“再生”和“新兴治疗”。仅包括以英文发表的专注于糖尿病足部护理临床或转化进展的研究。综述、病例报告和不相关的文章被省略。在对286份文献进行评价后，选择132份文献进行综合。结果：慢性高血糖导致神经病变、血管病变和持续炎症，损害正常的伤口愈合级联。标准的治疗包括血糖控制、清创、感染管理、减压和先进的敷料仍然是必要的。然而，诸如生物工程皮肤支架、重组生长因子、干细胞应用、基于纳米技术的输送系统和负压伤口治疗等新疗法正在改变这一领域。尽管技术前景看好，但广泛实施仍受到监管和经济限制的挑战。结论：糖尿病足护理的未来是智能生物材料、基因治疗、人工智能和远程医疗相结合的多学科、精准化模式。这些融合技术有可能彻底改变伤口愈合的结果，并减少糖尿病并发症的全球负担。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Foot Health Professions-Podiatry

CiteScore

2.00

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Foot is an international peer-reviewed journal covering all aspects of scientific approaches and medical and surgical treatment of the foot. The Foot aims to provide a multidisciplinary platform for all specialties involved in treating disorders of the foot. At present it is the only journal which provides this inter-disciplinary opportunity. Primary research papers cover a wide range of disorders of the foot and their treatment, including diabetes, vascular disease, neurological, dermatological and infectious conditions, sports injuries, biomechanics, bioengineering, orthoses and prostheses.