{"title":"Research on the Efficacy of Antibiotic-Loaded Bone Cement in Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers with Infection: A Clinical Study on Surgical Outcomes and Recovery Strategies.","authors":"Jiaqi Zhang, Cheng Chen, Fen Shi, Lingda Kong, Qiang Meng, Weiqiang Liang","doi":"10.1177/15347346261445773","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261445773","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveThis study investigated the clinical value of antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) in managing infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), aiming to address the limitations of conventional therapies such as slow healing and high recurrence rates.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 43 eligible DFU patients (21 males, 22 females) with infected ulcers who underwent debridement combined with ALBC implantation. Clinical data on infection control, wound healing, adverse events, and functional assessments were collected.ResultsThe results demonstrated effective local infection control: 90.7% of patients achieved normalized white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels within 1-2 weeks, with no observable pus secretion after 3 weeks. Wound healing outcomes were favorable, with an overall healing rate of 95.3% (41/43). The median healing time was 42 days (range: 30-63 days), and the average wound area reduction rate reached 85% at 4 weeks post-treatment. Only two cases experienced delayed healing due to poor glycemic control, with no reports of severe adverse reactions. Furthermore, all patients maintained basic ambulation without significant gait impairment during follow-up, as the ALBC was customized to minimize interference with foot function.ConclusionsALBC combined with debridement effectively controls infection, promotes wound healing, and exhibits a good safety profile in treating infected DFUs, without adversely affecting daily ambulation. This regimen represents a novel and cost-effective therapeutic option. Future prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate these findings and optimize protocols for patients with poor baseline conditions.Trial registry statementNot applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261445773"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147848180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dan Liu, Xinqin Song, Yi Wang, Youqiang Hu, Zeli Zhong, Liwei Tong, He Wei, Xiaolin Yu
{"title":"Predictive Value and Clinical Validation of Serum γ-Glutamyltransferase to Platelet Ratio Index for Type 2 Diabetes Foot Ulcer Risk.","authors":"Dan Liu, Xinqin Song, Yi Wang, Youqiang Hu, Zeli Zhong, Liwei Tong, He Wei, Xiaolin Yu","doi":"10.1177/15347346261445766","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261445766","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of the γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) to platelet (PLT) ratio (GPR) for the risk of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in persons living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsWe included 435 persons with T2DM at Zigong Fourth People's Hospital from January 2023 to December 2024. Participants were divided into a DFU group (n = 87) and a non-DFU group (n = 348) based on DFU status. Baseline, clinical, and biochemical data were collected. Using R 4.3.1, 70% of data were randomly assigned as training set and 30% as test set. Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses identified factors influencing DFU. Models included regression, gradient boosting, and random forests. Their predictive ability was evaluated by AUC. A separate validation set of 287 T2DM patients from January to December 2025 was also included.ResultsIn the training set, the DFU group exhibited significantly higher proportions of males, higher body mass index, higher prevalence of smoking history, and higher GPR and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels than the non-DFU group (<i>P</i> < .05). Logistic regression analysis identified sex, smoking history, GPR, HbA1c, and LDL as independent risk factors for DFU in T2DM patients. The AUCs for training were 0.797, 0.889, and 0.926 for the nomogram, gradient boosting, and random forest models, respectively, with test set AUCs of 0.825, 0.811, and 0.817. External validation showed the random forest model had the best performance.ConclusionMale sex, smoking, elevated GPR, elevated HbA1c, and elevated LDL are risk factors for DFU in persons living with T2DM. Among the three models built using these factors, the random forest model demonstrated the best performance across the evaluation metrics, followed by the gradient boosting machine model, and then the nomogram model.</p>","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261445766"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147825117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"More Detection, Better Decisions? Rethinking Pathogen-Driven Therapy in Diabetic Foot Infections.","authors":"Irene Terzi, Karolina Akinosoglou","doi":"10.1177/15347346261447707","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261447707","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pathogen-driven therapy is central to the management of diabetic foot infections (DFIs), where antimicrobial selection relies on microbiological identification. Over the past decade, diagnostic capabilities have expanded from conventional cultures to high-resolution molecular sequencing, substantially increasing pathogen detection. Whether this expansion translates into better therapeutic decisions, however, remains uncertain. This narrative review examines the roles and limitations of culture-based methods, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, targeted polymerase chain reaction panels, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and shotgun metagenomics in DFIs. Culture remains the cornerstone of pathogen-directed therapy because it identifies viable organisms and provides phenotypic susceptibility data that inform antibiotic selection and de-escalation. Molecular techniques broaden detection and reveal polymicrobial complexity and resistance genes, yet increased analytical sensitivity does not consistently clarify pathogen prioritization, distinguish colonization from infection, or improve patient-centered outcomes. Intensified diagnostic strategies often lead to antimicrobial modification without clear gains in healing or cost-effectiveness. These findings underscore a persistent interpretative gap: detection capacity has advanced more rapidly than frameworks linking microbiological data to meaningful therapeutic action. Microbiology is indispensable but insufficient in isolation. Improved outcomes will depend less on detecting additional organisms and more on integrating microbiological findings with surgical management, vascular status, and multidisciplinary care.</p>","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261447707"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147825145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of <i>In Vivo</i> Wound Healing Activity of <i>Martynia annua</i> L<i>.</i> Fruit Oil on Different Wound Models in Rats.","authors":"Rameshroo Kenwat, Dharmendra Prasad Kewat, Harish Bhardwaj, Vijay Kumar Singh, Veena Devi Singh, Pushpa Prasad Gupta","doi":"10.1177/15347346261446147","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261446147","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Martynia annua</i> L. is an herbaceous annual plant belonging to the family Martyniaceae, which is widely distributed in India. Traditionally, <i>Martynia annua</i> L. fruit oil has been used to treat epilepsy, sore throats, inflammatory disorders, and wound healing; however, it lacks scientific validation. This study aimed to investigate the wound-healing efficacy of <i>Martynia annua</i> L. fruit oil using different <i>in vivo</i> wound models. The oil was obtained from <i>Martynia annua</i> L. fruits using traditional (Buried) techniques. Before applying these oils, an acute dermal toxicity test was performed, followed by an evaluation of wound healing efficacy in rats using incision, excision, and burn wound models. The acute dermal toxicity test indicates that <i>Martynia annua</i> L. fruit oil did not cause erythema or oedema over a 7-day period. These findings confirmed the safety and non-toxicity of <i>Martynia annua</i> L. fruit oil for topical use. In all wound models tested, the <i>Martynia annua</i> L. fruit oil revealed (<i>p</i> < .05) improved wound-healing activity significantly compared to the marketed povidone iodine (5% w/w) ointment for excision and incision wounds, and silver sulfadiazine cream for burn wounds. Future research should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms, evaluating the therapeutic potential of Martynia annua L. fruit oil, optimizing extraction methods and product development, and exploring clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261446147"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147825132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Do you still want to write a review? Then, consider the 3Ts.","authors":"Nikolaos Papanas, Dimitri P Mikhailidis","doi":"10.1177/15347346261446181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261446181","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261446181"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From a pragmatic clinical staging of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy to a continuum of diabetes severity: New ideas, new challenges.","authors":"Anastasios Tentolouris, Péter Kempler","doi":"10.1177/15347346261445997","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261445997","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261445997"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrea Mancini, Secondina Viti, Marco Perini, Roberto Anichini
{"title":"Charcot Neuro-Osteoarthropathy: A new Risk Class is Needed?","authors":"Andrea Mancini, Secondina Viti, Marco Perini, Roberto Anichini","doi":"10.1177/15347346261440782","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261440782","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>AimCharcot neuro-osteoarthropathy (CNO) is not explicitly included by the <i>International Working Group of Diabetic Foot (IWGDF)</i> 2023 ulcer risk stratification system. We explored whether post-remission (chronic) CNO identifies a distinct high-risk recurrence phenotype compared with IWGDF risk class 3, and whether intensified podiatry surveillance is associated with improved outcomes.MethodsProspective, single-centre observational study (2023-2024). We compared IWGDF class 3 patients without CNO (high-risk; HR, n = 184) with patients with chronic CNO (n = 27), all ulcer-free at baseline, followed at 1-3-month intervals (Year 1). In Year 2, only CNO patients were followed at <=30-day intervals and outcomes were compared with their Year-1 data.ResultsDuring Year 1, chronic CNO was associated with higher re-ulceration (70.4% vs 33.1%) and amputation (18.5% vs 7.6%). Although <i>Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)</i> prevalence was higher in HR patients, revascularization rates among those with PAD were higher in the CNO cohort, likely reflecting differences in referral thresholds and care pathways rather than PAD prevalence alone. In Year 2, intensified surveillance in CNO patients was associated with a marked reduction in re-ulceration (18.5% vs 70.4%); trends towards fewer amputations and revascularizations were observed.ConclusionChronic CNO appears to represent a distinct high-risk recurrence phenotype not fully reflected by current IWGDF risk stratification. While limited by sample size and single-centre design, these findings support further evaluation of CNO-specific surveillance strategies and consideration of CNO as a separate risk stratum within the IWGDF framework.</p>","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261440782"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147731005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Martina Salvi, Marco Meloni, Federico Rolando Bonanni, Luigi Uccioli, Aikaterini Andreadi, Alfonso Bellia, Davide Lauro
{"title":"Ulcer Recurrence Impairs Outcomes of Patients with Diabetic Foot.","authors":"Martina Salvi, Marco Meloni, Federico Rolando Bonanni, Luigi Uccioli, Aikaterini Andreadi, Alfonso Bellia, Davide Lauro","doi":"10.1177/15347346261442764","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261442764","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background and AimsThe aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of recurrent diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) requiring hospital admission and to assess their impact on mid-term clinical outcomes.Methods and ResultsIt is a single-center retrospective observational study including a population of patients with DFUs requiring hospitalization managed between January and September 2024 in a tertiary level diabetic foot service. All patients were treated by a local multidisciplinary team in accordance with international guidelines. The study cohort consisted of two groups: patients with a recurrent DFU and those with a first-time DFU. After discharge, all patients were regularly followed as outpatients. After six months of follow-up, the following outcomes were evaluated and compared between groups: healing, major amputation, and mortality. Overall, 205 patients were included (31.7% recurrent DFU vs 68.3% first-time DFU). The mean age was 68.9 ± 12.3 years, the majority had type 2 diabetes (93.4%) with a mean diabetes duration of 20.9 ± 12.6 years; 155 (75.6%) patients presented with ischemic DFUs, and 158 (77.1%) patients had diabetic foot infections. There were no significant differences between the two groups at the assessment, except for the higher rate of ischemic heart disease in recurrent patients when compared to not recurrent (50.8 vs 30.7%, <i>P</i> = .006).ConclusionSix-months outcomes (recurrent DFU vs first-time DFU) were as follows: wound healing (47.7 vs 62.8%, <i>P</i> = .04), major amputation (4.6 vs 5%, <i>P</i> = .2), and mortality (12.3 vs 4.3% <i>P</i> = .03), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ulcer recurrence was an independent predictor of non-healing, while it did not significantly influence the risk of major amputation or mortality.</p>","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261442764"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147719185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) among People with Diabetic Foot Ulcers at a Tertiary Care Centre in South India.","authors":"Kaviya Suresh, Satyavani Kumpatla, Arutselvi Devarajan, Vijay Viswanathan","doi":"10.1177/15347346261441107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261441107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundLiterature on Financial Toxicity (FT) using the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity - Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (COST-FACIT) among people with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is unavailable in India. This study assessed FT among people with DFUs using the COST measure.Materials and MethodsA total of 234 participants with DFUs were included from April-June 2025 in a tertiary care diabetes center and administered with COST-FACIT and sleep health (RU-SATED) questionnaires. Demographic, clinical, socio-economic status (SES), biochemical, co-morbidities and complications, cost of illness were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of FT.ResultsAround 85% of the participants had FT in which 15.8% experienced high FT. Lower socio-economic group recorded the lowest COST score (15 ± 6.5). Nearly one-third underwent minor (28.2%) and major (3.8%) amputations. DFU treatment expenses included inpatient costs: ₹98,167 ($1180), medications: ₹6869 ($83), offloading devices: ₹5374 ($65), and indirect cost: ₹4604 ($55). Cost coping behaviours identified were money borrowed (49.6%) and selling belongings (39.7%). Individuals with higher FT reported poor sleep health. Lower SES (AOR=24.9, p < 0.001), DFU duration>3years (AOR=2.3, p = 0.024), delayed doctor's visit (AOR=4.4, p = 0.048) and revascularization procedure (AOR=3.2, p = 0.014) were significant predictors of higher FT.ConclusionAround 85% of individuals with DFUs experienced FT. Early foot screening, social and health protection schemes, and appropriate policy measures would possibly alleviate high FT.</p>","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261441107"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147648080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elisabetta Iacopi, Nicola Riitano, Francesco Giangreco, Rosario Bellini, Caterina Tramonti, Carmelo Chisari, Alberto Piaggesi
{"title":"Different Foot Structural Changes Pattern Between Diabetic and not Diabetic Patients After Weight Loss Due to Bariatric Surgery in Severe Obesity.","authors":"Elisabetta Iacopi, Nicola Riitano, Francesco Giangreco, Rosario Bellini, Caterina Tramonti, Carmelo Chisari, Alberto Piaggesi","doi":"10.1177/15347346261429745","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346261429745","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>AimTo compare the modifications in foot structure and shape in obese patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after weight loss.MethodsWe studied all patients submitted to bariatric surgery in our Department between January and March 2019 with body mass index (BMI) between 40 and 48 kg/m2 before and after the weight loss, dividing them into two groups according to presence (Group 1) or absence (Group 2) of T2DM. We compared changes in: skin temperature at first and fifth metatarsal joint (MJ), ultrasound skin, subcutaneous and fascia thickness, dorsal and ankle circumferences.ResultsWe enrolled 46 patients: 19 in Group 1 (M/F 11/8; mean age 48.2 ± 10.3 yrs) and 27 in Group 2 (M/F 10/17, mean age 46.8 ± 10.0). Time requested for expected weight loss was longer in Group 1 (461.5 ± 131.3 days vs 334.2 ± 106.4, <i>P</i> = .0011). Foot and leg dimensions were decreased in both groups, but reduction was greater in Group 2. Also the reduction of skin temperature was greater in Group 2 both at first and at fifth MJ (<i>P</i> = .03 and .02). On the contrary ultrasound skin and subcutaneous thickness reduction was significantly greater in Group 1 both dorsally (<i>P</i> = .009) and plantarly (<i>P</i> < .05) as well as fascia thickness (<i>P</i> = .02).ConclusionsOur data confirm structural body changes induced by weight loss in severely obese patients, with different patterns in patients affected or not from T2DM: a more important decrease in tissue thickness in the former and a greater volume reduction in the latter, probably related to different oedema resorption.<b>Level of evidence:</b> Clinical research.</p>","PeriodicalId":94229,"journal":{"name":"The international journal of lower extremity wounds","volume":" ","pages":"15347346261429745"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147617315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}