Incidence and Risk Factors of Diabetic Foot Syndrome in Patients Early After Pancreas or Kidney/Pancreas Transplantation and its Association with Preventive Measures

Diabetic foot (DF) can develop in diabetic patients after organ transplantation (Tx) due to several factors including peripheral arterial disease (PAD), diabetic neuropathy and inappropriate DF prevention. Aim: To assess the occurrence of DF and associated risk factors in transplant patients. Methods: Fifty-seven diabetic patients were enrolled as part of this prospective study. All patients underwent organ Tx (01/2013-12/2015) and were followed up for minimum of 12 months up to a maximum of 50 months. Over the study period we evaluated DF incidence and identified a number of factors likely to influence DF development, including organ function, presence of late complications, PAD, history of DF, levels of physical activity before and after Tx, patient education and standards of DF prevention. Results: Active DF developed in 31.6% (18/57) of patients after organ Tx within 11 months on average (10.7 ± 8 months). The following factors significantly correlated with DF development: diabetes control (p = .0065), PAD (p<0.0001), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2;p = .01), history of DF (p = .0031), deformities (p = .0021) and increased leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) before Tx (p = .037). However, based on logistic stepwise regression analysis, the only factors significantly associated with DF during the post-transplant period were: PAD, deformities and increased LTPA. Education was provided to patients periodically (2.6 ± 2.5 times) during the observation period. Although 94.7% of patients regularly inspected their feet (4.5 ± 2.9 times/week), only 26.3% of transplant patients used appropriate footwear. Conclusions: Incidence of DF was relatively high, affecting almost 1/3 of pancreas and kidney/pancreas recipients. The predominant risk factors were: presence of PAD, foot deformities and higher LTPA before Tx. Therefore, we recommend a programme involving more detailed vascular and physical examinations and more intensive education focusing on physical activity and DF prevention in at-risk patients before transplantation.

Verrucous Skin Lesions on the Feet in Diabetic Neuropathy in the Context of Podiatric Practice - Our Pilot Experiences

Skin changes in patients with diabetic foot (DF) are relatively common. The most frequent lesions feature papillae or cilia of various forms. The condition known as "verrucous skin lesions on the feet in diabetic neuropathy" (VSLDN) occurs in patients with distal diabetic sensorimotor neuropathy and is commonly located in places of high mechanical pressure. However, there is a scarcity of published data on the diagnosis and treatment of VSLDN. Our paper describes various types of VSLDN skin pathology, summarizes the diagnostic procedure options available, and documents the experience of our diabetic foot clinic in applying short-term VSLDN therapies as part of routine podiatric practice.

Comparison of the impact of autologous cell therapy and conservative standard treatment on tissue oxygen supply and course of the diabetic foot in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Autologous cell therapy (ACT) is a new treatment method for patients with diabetes and no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia (NO-CLTI). We aimed to assess the impact of ACT on NO-CLTI in comparison with standard treatment (ST) in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Diabetic patients with NO-CLTI were randomized to receive either ACT (n=21) or ST (n=19). After 12 weeks, those in the ST group, who did not improve were treated with ACT. The effect of ACT on ischemia and wound healing was assessed by changes in transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO₂) and the number of healed patients at 12 weeks. Pain was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Amputation rates and amputation-free survival (AFS) were assessed in both groups.

RESULTS

During the first 12 weeks, TcPO₂ increased in the ACT group from 20.8 ± 9.6 to 41.9 ± 18.3 mm Hg (p=0.005) whereas there was no change in the ST group (from 21.2 ± 11.4 to 23.9 ± 13.5 mm Hg). Difference in TcPO₂ in the ACT group compared to ST group was 21.1 mm Hg (p=0.034) after 12 weeks. In the period from week 12 to week 24, when ST group received ACT, the TcPO₂ in this group increased from 20.1 ± 13.9 to 41.9 ± 14.8 (p=0.005) while it did not change significantly in the ACT in this period. At 24 weeks, there was no significant difference in mean TcPO₂ between the two groups. Wound healing was greater at 12 weeks in the ACT group compared to the ST group (5/16 vs. 0/13, p=0.048). Pain measured using VAS was reduced in the ACT group after 12 weeks compared to the baseline, and the difference in scores was again significant (p<0.001), but not in the ST group. There was no difference in rates of major amputation and AFS between ACT and ST groups at 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has showed that ACT treatment in patients with no-option CLTI and diabetic foot significantly improved limb ischemia and wound healing after 12 weeks compared to conservative standard therapy. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to study the benefits of ACT in patients with NO-CLTI and diabetic foot disease.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered in the National Board of Health (EudraCT 2016-001397-15).

Effects of a 12-Week Interventional Exercise Programme on Muscle Strength, Mobility and Fitness in Patients With Diabetic Foot in Remission: Results From BIONEDIAN Randomised Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is a serious late diabetic complication characterised by limited joint mobility and other biomechanical and muscle abnormalities.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of an interventional exercise programme on anthropometric parameters, muscle strength, mobility and fitness in patients with diabetic foot in remission.

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION

Thirty-eight patients with type 2 diabetes and DFS without active lesions (mean age 65 ± 6.9 years, BMI 32 ± 4.7 kg.m^-2, waist-hip ratio (WHR)1.02 ± 0.06) were enrolled in our randomised controlled trial. All subjects were randomised into two groups: an intervention group (I; n=19) and a control group (C; n=19). The 12-week exercise intervention focused on ankle and small-joint mobility in the foot, strengthening and stretching of the lower extremity muscles, and improvements in fitness. Changes (Δ=final minus initial results) in physical activity were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), with joint mobility detected by goniometry, muscle strength by dynamometry, and fitness using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT).

DATA EXTRACTION

Due to reulceration, 15.8% of patients from group I (3/19) and 15.8% of patients from group C were excluded. Based on the IPAQ, group I was more active when it came to heavy (p=0.03) and moderate physical activity (p=0.06) after intervention compared to group C. Group I improved significantly in larger-joint flexibility (p=0.012) compared to controls. In group I, dynamometric parameters increased significantly in both lower limbs (left leg; p=0.013, right leg; p=0.043) compared to group C. We observed a positive trend in the improvement of fitness in group I compared to group C. We also confirmed positive correlations between heavy physical activity and selected parameters of flexibility (r=0.47; p=0.007), SFT (r=0.453; p=0.011) and dynamometry (r=0.58; p<0.0025). Anthropometric parameters, such as BMI and WHR, were not significantly influenced by the intervention programme.

CONCLUSION

Our 12-week interventional exercise programme proved relatively safe, resulting in improved body flexibility and increased muscle strength in DF patients in remission.

Podiatric care from diabetologists point of view

Scoring for the risk of Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) should be performed regularly in each patient with diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients at risk for DFS should be followed by diabetologists, those with moderate and severe risk for the development of DFS or those with DFS in remission should be already followed by podiatrists. The aim of our study was to determine the extent of DFS risk screening procedures, dispensary care of patients at risk for DFS and treatment of patients with newly developed DFS in diabetes clinics in the Czech Republic.

METHODS

To find out the study data, we prepared in cooperation with the &#268;DS &#268;LS JEP Committee a questionnaire survey for outpatient diabetology specialists.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by 57% (76/135) of diabetologists. Most of them dispensary approximately 1000- 2000 patients with DM. Their feet are checked by 98.7% of diabetologists (1.6 ± 0.8 times a year on average). Screening for the risk of DFS (13024) is performing in less than 100 patients by 74.3% of diabetologists, in 100-200 patients by 14.9% and in more than 200 patients by 10.8% of diabetologists. 77% of respondents are able to examine neuropathy, the rest send their patients to neurologists, peripheral arterial disease is evaluated by only 47.3% of diabetologists (35.3% of them use some form of instrumental examination), others (48.6%) send patients to angiologists, 4.1% of diabetologists do not examine PAD at all). Based on the assessed findings, more than half of the respondents (50.7%) perform scoring for the risk of DFS, but 1/5 of outpatient diabetologists do not know how the scoring is performed. If colleagues find a patient at a risk for DFS, they usually follow him/her by themselves (64.4%), in 24.6% of cases they send the patient immediately to podiatry or surgery (11%). If a patient with a new DFS comes at diabetology clinic, 72.6% of diabetologists are able to prescribe off-loading, 60.3% antibiotics, 47.9% local therapy. Only 52.1% of diabetologists send a patient with a new DFS to outpatient foot clinic, 39.7% to surgery, the rest of them elsewhere.

CONCLUSION

Based on the questionnaire survey results, the screening of DFS is currently severely undersized in outpatient diabetology clinics, it is sufficiently performed only by 11% of diabetologists. Only 16% of diabetologists perform some form of non-invasive diagnostic procedures detecting peripheral arterial disease, neuropathy examinations are more common. If a diabetologist meet a patient with newly developed DFS, he/she is able to prescribe off-loading or antibiotics, but only half of the diabetologists send the patient to outpatient foot clinic, probably due to a lack of them or their overload.

Main Factors Predicting Nonresponders to Autologous Cell Therapy for Critical Limb Ischemia in Patients With Diabetic Foot

Autologous cell therapy (ACT) is a new treatment for patients with no-option critical limb ischemia (NO-CLI). We evaluated the factors involved in the nonresponse to ACT in patients with CLI and diabetic foot. Diabetic patients (n = 72) with NO-CLI treated using ACT in our foot clinic over a period of 8 years were divided into responders (n = 57) and nonresponders (n = 15). Nonresponder was defined as an insufficient increase in transcutaneous oxygen pressure by <5 mm Hg, 3 months after ACT. Patient demographics, diabetes duration and treatment, and comorbidities as well as a cellular response to ACT, limb-related factors, and the presence of inherited thrombotic disorders were compared between the 2 groups. The main independent predictors for an impaired response to ACT were heterozygote Leiden mutation (OR 10.5; 95% CI, 1.72-4) and homozygote methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677) mutation (OR 3.36; 95% CI, 1.0-14.3) in stepwise logistic regression. Univariate analysis showed that lower mean protein C levels (P = .041) were present in nonresponders compared with responders. In conclusion, the significant predictors of an impaired response to ACT in diabetic patients with NO-CLI were inherited thrombotic disorders.

Stimulation TcPO2 Testing Improves Diagnosis of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients With Diabetic Foot

BACKGROUND

All diagnostic procedures of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in diabetic foot (DF) are complicated due to diabetes mellitus and its late complications.The aim of our study is to enhance diagnosis of PAD using a novel transcutaneous oximetry (TcPO2) stimulation test.

METHODS

The study comprised patients with mild-to-moderate PAD(WIfI-I 1 or 2) and baseline TcPO2 values of 30-50 mmHg.TcPO2 was measured across 107 different angiosomes. Stimulation examination involved a modification of the Ratschow test. All patients underwent PAD assessment (systolic blood pressures (SBP), toe pressures (TP), the ankle-brachial indexes (ABI) and toe-brachial indexes (TBI), duplex ultrasound of circulation). Angiosomes were divided into two groups based on ultrasound findings: group M(n=60) with monophasic flow; group T(n=47) with triphasic flow. Large vessel parameters and TcPO2 at rest and after exercise (minimal TcPO2, changes in TcPO2 from baseline (Δ,%), TcPO2 recovery time) measured during the stimulation test were compared between study groups.

RESULTS

During the TcPO2 stimulation exercise test, group M exhibited significantly lower minimal TcPO2 (26.2 ± 11.1 vs. 31.4 ± 9.4 mmHg; p<0.01), greater Δ and percentage decreases from resting TcPO2 (p=0.014 and p=0.007, respectively) and longer TcPO2 recovery times (446 ± 134 vs. 370 ± 81ms;p=0.0005) compared to group T. SBPs, TPs and indexes were significantly lower in group M compared to group T. Sensitivity and specificity of TcPO2 stimulation parameters during PAD detection increased significantly to the level of SBP, ABI, TP and TBI.

CONCLUSION

Compared to resting TcPO2, TcPO2 measured during stimulation improves detection of latent forms of PAD and restenosis/obliterations of previously treated arteries in diabetic foot patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov [https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S0009V7W&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0005381&ts=2&cx=3j24u2], identifier NCT04404699.

What are the specifics of diabetic foot syndrome and why we need interdisciplinary recommendations for its diagnosis and treatment?

The care of patients with diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) requires interdisciplinary cooperation, and therefore interdisciplinary recommendations focused on the diagnosis and treatment and prevention of DFS are in place. We also need these recommendations because DFS has its own specifics that affect its diagnosis, therapy, but also the prognosis of patients. These include, for example, the different course of infection and PAD in patients with diabetes, the diagnosis of neuropathic Charcot osteoarthropathy, and the frequent association with end stage kidney disease, which worsens the course of SDN and increases its risk. Last but not least, the specifics of DFS include the issue of amputations with a significantly worse prognosis than in people without diabetes. The creation of an interdisciplinary team in foot clinics, providing comprehensive care for patients with DFS according to the recommended procedure, is associated with improved prognosis of patients with DFS, especially the reduction of amputations.

Impact of severe diabetic kidney disease on the clinical outcome of autologous cell therapy in people with diabetes and critical limb ischaemia

AIM

To assess the impact of autologous cell therapy on critical limb ischaemia in people with diabetes and diabetic kidney disease.

METHODS

A total of 59 people with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) and critical limb ischaemia, persisting after standard revascularization, were treated with cell therapy in our foot clinic over 7 years; this group comprised 17 people with and 42 without severe diabetic kidney disease. The control group had the same inclusion criteria, but was treated conservatively and comprised 21 people with and 23 without severe diabetic kidney disease. Severe diabetic kidney disease was defined as chronic kidney disease stages 4-5 (GFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m²). Death and amputation-free survival were assessed during the 18-month follow-up; changes in transcutaneous oxygen pressure were evaluated at 6 and 12 months after cell therapy.

RESULTS

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure increased significantly in both groups receiving cell therapy compared to baseline (both P<0.01); no significant change in either of the control groups was observed. The cell therapy severe diabetic kidney disease group had a significantly longer amputation-free survival time compared to the severe diabetic kidney disease control group (hazard ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.14-0.91; P=0.042); there was no difference in the non-severe diabetic kidney disease groups. The severe diabetic kidney disease control group had a tendency to have higher mortality (hazard ratio 2.82, 95% CI 0.81-9.80; P=0.062) than the non-severe diabetic kidney disease control group, but there was no difference between the severe diabetic kidney disease and non-severe diabetic kidney disease cell therapy groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that autologous cell therapy in people with severe diabetic kidney disease significantly improved critical limb ischaemia and lengthened amputation-free survival in comparison with conservative treatment; however, the treatment did not influence overall survival.

Clinical and (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy characterization of patients with critical limb ischemia before and after autologous cell therapy

Autologous cell therapy (ACT) is a new treatment method for diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) not eligible for standard revascularization. After intramuscular injection of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells local arteriogenesis in the ischemic tissue occurs. Studies assessing visualization of this therapeutic vasculogenesis after ACT by novel imaging techniques are lacking. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of ACT on possible metabolic changes and perfusion of critically ischemic limbs using (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( (31)P MRS) and its possible correlation with changes of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO(2)). Twenty-one patients with diabetes and no-option CLI treated by ACT in our foot clinic over 8 years were included in the study. TcPO(2) as well as rest (phosphocreatine, adenosine triphosphate and inorganic phosphate) and dynamic (mitochondrial capacity and phosphocreatine recovery time) (31)P-MRS parameters were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after cell treatment. TcPO(2) increased significantly after 3 months compared with baseline (from 22.4±8.2 to 37.6±13.3 mm Hg, p=0.0002). Rest and dynamic (31)P MRS parameters were not significantly different after ACT in comparison with baseline values. Our study showed a significant increase of TcPO(2) on the dorsum of the foot after ACT. We did not observe any changes of rest or dynamic (31)P MRS parameters in the area of the proximal calf where the cell suspension has been injected into.

Benefits of Acidifying Agents in Local Therapy of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Infected by Pseudomonas sp: A Pilot Study

Infections caused by Pseudomonas sp are difficult to resolve by antibiotics (ATBs) and local therapy. The aim of our pilot study was to assess the effect of different local agents-particularly acidifying solutions-on the healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), eradication of pathogens, and economic costs related to DFU therapy. In this case study, we monitored 32 DFU patients infected by Pseudomonas species. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the local therapy provided: group 1 (n = 15)-modern local treatment; group 2 (n = 17)-acidifying antiseptic solutions. The study groups differed only with regard to ATB usage prior to enrolment in the study (P = .004), but did not differ with regard to age, diabetes control, peripheral arterial disease, or microcirculation status. During the follow-up period, DFUs healed in 20% of cases in group 1, but there were no cases of healing in group 2 (NS). The length of ATB therapy, the number of new osteomyelitis, lower limb amputations, and the changes of DFUs status/proportions did not differ significantly between study groups. Pseudomonas was eradicated in 67% of cases in group 1 and in 65% of cases in group 2. The local treatment given to group 2 patients was associated with lower costs (P < .0001). Conclusion. Acidifying agents had the same effect as modern healing agents on wound healing, the number of amputations, and the eradication of Pseudomonas. Moreover, therapy performed using acidifying solutions proved in our pilot study markedly cheaper.

The Superiority of Removable Contact Splints in the Healing of Diabetic Foot during Postoperative Care

OBJECTIVE

Off-loading is one of the crucial components of diabetic foot (DF) therapy. However, there remains a paucity of studies on the most suitable off-loading for DF patients under postoperative care. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of different protective off-loading devices on healing and postoperative complications in DF patients following limb preservation surgery.

METHODS

This observational study comprised 127 DF patients. All enrolled patients had undergone foot surgery and were off-loaded empirically as follows: wheelchair+removable contact splint (RCS) (group R: 29.2%), wheelchair only (group W: 48%), and wheelchair+removable prefabricated device (group WP: 22.8%). We compared the primary (e.g., the number of healed patients, healing time, and duration of antibiotic (ATB) therapy) and secondary outcomes (e.g., number of reamputations and number and duration of rehospitalizations) with regard to the operation regions across all study groups.

RESULTS

The lowest number of postoperative complications (number of reamputations: p = 0.028; rehospitalizations: p = 0.0085; and major amputations: p = 0.02) was in group R compared to groups W and WP. There was a strong trend toward a higher percentage of healed patients (78.4% vs. 55.7% and 65.5%; p = 0.068) over a shorter duration (13.7 vs. 16.5 and 20.3 weeks; p = 0.055) in the R group, as well. Furthermore, our subanalysis revealed better primary outcomes in patients operated in the midfoot and better secondary outcomes in patients after forefoot surgery-odds ratios favouring the R group included healing at 2.5 (95% CI, 1.04-6.15; p = 0.037), reamputations at 0.32 (95% CI, 0.12-0.84; p = 0.018), and rehospitalizations at 0.22 (95% CI, 0.08-0.58; p = 0.0013).

CONCLUSIONS

This observational study suggests that removable contact splint combined with a wheelchair is better than a wheelchair with or without removable off-loading device for accelerating wound healing after surgical procedures; it also minimises overall postoperative complications, reducing the number of reamputations by up to 77% and the number of rehospitalizations by up to 66%.

Diabetic complications do not hamper improvement of health-related quality of life over the course of treatment of diabetic foot ulcers - the Eurodiale study

AIMS

Diabetic complications, and in particular diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), are associated with low health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We evaluated whether the presence of diabetic complications also influenced the improvement of HRQoL during DFU treatment.

METHODS

1088 patients presenting for DFU treatment at the centers participating in the Eurodiale study were followed prospectively up to one year. HRQoL was measured both at presentation and after healing or at end of follow up, using EQ-5D: a standardized instrument consisting of five domains and a summary index. The influence of diabetic comorbidity on the course of HRQoL was evaluated for each of the EQ-5D outcomes in multi-level linear regression analyses, adjusting for baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

HRQoL improved in all EQ-5D outcomes over the course of treatment for those DFUs that healed. The few significant differences in the development of HRQoL between patients with and without comorbidity showed a more beneficial development for patients with comorbidity in DFUs that did not heal or healed slowly.

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidity does not hamper improvement of HRQoL in DFU treatment. On the contrary, HRQoL improved sometimes more in patients with certain comorbidity with hard-to-heal ulcers.

Cell therapy of critical limb ischemia in diabetic patients - State of art

In this review we report on the state of cell therapy of critical limb ischemia (CLI) with respect to differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients mainly from the clinical point of view. CLI is the most severe form of peripheral arterial disease and its diagnosis and treatment in diabetic patients is very difficult. The therapeutic effect of standard methods of CLI treatment is only partial - more than one third of diabetic patients are not eligible for standard revascularization; therefore, new therapeutic techniques such as cell therapy have been studied in clinical trials. Presence of CLI in patients with diabetic foot disease is associated with worse clinical outcomes such as lack of healing of foot ulcers, major amputations and premature mortality. A revascularization procedure cannot be successful as the only method in contrast to patients without diabetes, but it must always be part of a complex therapy focused not only on ischemia, but also on treatment of infection, off-loading, metabolic control of diabetes and nutrition, local therapy, etc. Therefore, the main criteria for cell therapy may vary in diabetic patients and non-diabetic persons and results of this treatment method should always be assessed in the context of ensuring comprehensive therapy. This review carries out an analysis of the source of precursor cells, route of administration and brings a brief report of published data with respect to diabetic and non-diabetic patients and our experience with autologous cell therapy of diabetic patients with CLI. Analysis of the studies in terms of diabetes is difficult, because in most of them sub-analysis for diabetic patients is not performed separately. The other problem is that it is not clear if diabetic patients received adequate complex treatment for their foot ulcers which can strongly affect the rate of major amputation as an outcome of CLI treatment.

Minor amputation does not negatively affect health-related quality of life as compared with conservative treatment in patients with a diabetic foot ulcer: An observational study

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is poor in patients with persistent diabetic foot ulcers and poor HRQoL predicts worse outcomes in these patients. Amputation is often considered a treatment failure, which is why conservative treatment is generally preferred over amputation. However, it is unclear whether minor amputation negatively affects HRQoL compared with conservative treatment in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

METHODS

In the cohort of the multicenter, prospective, observational Eurodiale study, we determined difference in change of HRQoL measured by EQ-5D between patients with a diabetic foot ulcers that healed after conservative treatment (n = 676) and after minor amputation (n = 145). Propensity score was used to adjust for known confounders, attempting to overcome lack of randomization.

RESULTS

Baseline HRQoL was not significantly different between patients treated conservatively and undergoing minor amputation. In addition, there was no difference in the change of HRQoL between these groups. In patients who healed 6 to 12 months after the first visit, HRQoL on the anxiety/depression subscale even appeared to improve more in those who underwent minor amputation.

CONCLUSIONS

Minor amputation was not associated with a negative impact on HRQoL in patients with a diabetic foot ulcers. It may therefore not be considered treatment failure in terms of HRQoL but rather a viable treatment option. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to further examine the influence of minor amputations on health-related quality of life.

[Diabetic foot syndrome: importance of calf muscles MR spectroscopy in the assessment of limb ischemia and effect of revascularization]

AIM

The standard method for assessment of effect of revascularization in patients with diabetic foot (DF) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) is transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2). Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) enables to evaluate oxidative muscle metabolism that could be impaired in patients with diabetes and its complications. The aim of our study was to compare MRS of calf muscle between patients with DF and CLI and healthy controls and to evaluate the contribution of MRS in the assessment of the effect of revascularization.

METHODS

Thirty-four diabetic patients with DF and CLI treated either by autologous cell therapy (ACT; 15 patients) or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA; 12 patients) in our foot clinic during 2013-2016 and 19 healthy controls were included into the study. TcPO2 measurement was used as a standard method of non-invasive evaluation of limb ischemia. MRS examinations were performed using the whole-body 3T MR system 1 day before and 3 months after the procedure. Subjects were examined in a supine position with the coil fixed under the m. gastrocnemius. MRS parameters were obtained at rest and during the exercise period. Rest MRS parameters of oxidative muscle metabolism such as phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphodiesters (PDE), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), dynamic MRS parameters such as recovery constant PCr (τPCr) and mitochondrial capacity (Qmax), and pH were compared between patients and healthy controls, and also before and 3 months after revascularization.

RESULTS

Patients with CLI had significantly lower PCr/Pi (p < 0.001), significantly higher Pi and pH (both p < 0.01), significantly lower Qmax and prolonged τPCr (both p < 0.001) in comparison with healthy controls. We observed a significant improvement in TcPO2 at 3 months after revascularization (from 26.4 ± 11.7 to 39.7 ± 17.7 mm Hg, p < 0.005). However, the rest MRS parameters did not change significantly after revascularization. In individual cases we observed improvement of dynamic MRS parameters. There was no correlation between MRS parameters and TcPO2 values.

CONCLUSION

Results of our study show impaired oxidative metabolism of calf muscles in patients with CLI in comparison with healthy controls. We observed an improvement in dynamic MRS parameters in individual cases; this finding should be verified in a large number of patients during longer follow-up.Key words: autologous cell therapy - critical limb ischemia - diabetic foot - MR spectroscopy.

Neonatal capsaicin administration impairs postnatal development of the cardiac chronotropy and inotropy in rats

The present study evaluated the impact of neonatal administration of capsaicin (neurotoxin from red hot pepper used for sensory denervation) on postnatal development of the heart rate and ventricular contractility. In the rats subjected to capsaicin administration (100 mg/kg) on postnatal days 2 and 3 and their vehicle-treated controls at the ages of 10 to 90 days, function of the sympathetic innervation of the developing heart was characterized by evaluation of chronotropic responses to metipranolol and atropine, norepinephrine concentrations in the heart, and norepinephrine release from the heart atria. Sensory denervation was verified by determination of calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in the heart. Direct cytotoxic effects of capsaicin were assessed on cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes. Capsaicin-treated rats displayed higher resting heart rates, lower atropine effect, but no difference in the effect of metipranolol. Norepinephrine tissue levels and release did not differ from controls. Contraction force of the right ventricular papillary muscle was lower till the age of 60 days. Significantly reduced viability of neonatal cardiomyocytes was demonstrated at capsaicin concentration 100 micromol/l. Our study suggests that neonatal capsaicin treatment leads to impaired maturation of the developing cardiomyocytes. This effect cannot be attributed exclusively to sensory denervation of the rat heart since capsaicin acts also directly on the cardiac cells.

[Diabetic foot syndrome from the perspective of internist educated in podiatry]

Podiatry is the science dealing with the diagnostics and treatment of the foot and ankle and associated tissues and structures by all appropriate methods and also with the local manifestation of the overall processes in this area. Diabetic foot disease is defined as infection, ulceration or destruction of tissues of the foot associated with neuropathy and/or peripheral artery disease in the lower extremity of people with diabetes according to the latest edition of the International Consensus. Successful treatment and prevention of diabetic foot syndrome depends on a holistic approach, in which it is seen as part of the multiple organ involvement. Teamwork of series of experts is therefore necessary. Internist with diabetes and podiatric education plays a key role in this team in particular, when control diabetes and in the prevention and treatment of co-morbidities, in the diagnosis of malnutrition and in the nutritional therapy and in the early diagnosis and effective treatment of infections. Last but not least, internist in collaboration with other professionals works when treatment of lower limb ischemia, suitable offloading of the ulcer and topical therapy and in the prevention of ulcers. Recurrent ulcerations are the major problem in podiatry and it can occur in up to 40% of patients in the first year after healing. Follow-up of patients with diabetic foot syndrome by experienced internist can help reduce the serious consequences, including amputation and cardiovascular mortality.Key words: diabetic foot - internal medicine - podiatry.

[Has been changed numbers and characteristics of patients with major amputations indicated for the diabetic foot in our department during last decade?]

INTRODUCTION

One of the most serious complications of the diabetic foot (DF) is a major amputation, which is associated with poor patient prognosis. The occurrence of major amputations may be influenced by a variety of factors including deep infection caused by resistant pathogens.The aims of our study were to compare the incidence of major amputations in podiatric center, characteristics of amputated patients with the DF and other factors contributing to major amputations in last decade.

METHODS

We included into our study all patients hospitalized for the DF in our center whose underwent major amputations from 9/2004 to 9/2006 (group 1) and from 9/2013 to 9/2015 (group 2). Risk factors such as severity of DF ulcers based on Texas classification, duration of previous anti-biotic therapy, the presence and severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) according to Graziani classification, the number of revascularizations, renal failure/hemodialysis, osteomyelitis, infectious agents found before amputations and their resistance were compared between the study groups.

RESULTS

During the 1st study period (9/2004-9/2006) 373 patients were hospitalized for the DF, of whom 3.2 % underwent major amputation (12/373 - group 1), during the 2nd study period (9/2013-9/2015) 376 patients, of whom 5.1 % absolved major amputation (19/376 - group 2). As the numbers of major amputations as their indications were similar in both study groups. The study groups did not differ significantly in the age, BMI, duration and type of diabetes, duration of DF and severity of DF ulcers, the presence of renal failure/hemodialysis, osteomyelitis and PAD. Group 2 had milder forms of PAD by Graziani classification (4.4 ±1.4 vs 5.7 ± 0.9; p = 0.012) and a higher number of revascularizations before major amputations (2.5 ± 1.5 vs 1 ± 1; p = 0.003) compared to the group 1. These patients were significantly longer treated by antibiotics (5.4 ± 2.4 vs 2.5 ± 2 months; p = 0.002) and underwent more resections and minor amputations (3.1 ± 2.1 vs 0.9 ± 0.5; p = 0.0004) before major amputations in contrast to the group 1. There was a trend to higher incidence of Gram-negatives (65.1 % vs 61.5 %; NS) with a predominance of Enterobacteriacae species (60.7 % vs 56 %; NS) and a trend to the increase of Pseudomonas (25 % vs 18.8 %; NS) and Enterococci sp. (46.7 % vs 20 %; NS) in the group 2 compared to the group 1. The incidences as of MRSA, multidrug resistant Pseudomonas sp. of other resistant microbes were similar in both study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of major amputations in patients hospitalized for the DF remains unchanged during the last decade. The therapy of factors leading to amputations has evidently intensified. This is in accordance with the latest international recommendations for the therapy of DF. In the future, it is appropriate to focus on the improvement of detection and treatment of infection and ischemia in such risk group of patients.Key words: diabetic foot - major amputation.

[Special contact splints in postoperative care for patients with the diabetic foot]

Adequate stabilization and off-loading of the lower limb is an integral part of postoperative care for patients with the diabetic foot. Off-loading can accelerate the healing process and reduce the number of complications and reoperations. The newly introduced method of the performance of removable contact splints (modified contact removable casts) seems to fulfil a number of requirements for stabilization and off-loading devices - the method is safe and can actually reduce the healing time and the number of reoperations in patients with the diabetic foot.

KEY WORDS

diabetic foot - off-loading - splints.

An Alteration of Lymphocytes Subpopulations and Immunoglobulins Levels in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers Infected Particularly by Resistant Pathogens

The aim of our study was to analyse immune abnormalities in patients with chronic infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) especially those infected by resistant microorganisms. Methods. 68 patients treated in our foot clinic for infected chronic DFUs with 34 matched diabetic controls were studied. Patients with infected DFUs were subdivided into two subgroups according to the antibiotic sensitivity of causal pathogen: subgroup S infected by sensitive (n = 50) and subgroup R by resistant pathogens (n = 18). Selected immunological markers were compared between the study groups and subgroups. Results. Patients with infected chronic DFUs had, in comparison with diabetic controls, significantly reduced percentages (p < 0.01) and total numbers of lymphocytes (p < 0.001) involving B lymphocytes (p < 0.01), CD4+ (p < 0.01), and CD8+ T cells (p < 0.01) and their naive and memory effector cells. Higher levels of IgG (p < 0.05) including IgG1 (p < 0.001) and IgG3 (p < 0.05) were found in patients with DFUs compared to diabetic controls. Serum levels of immunoglobulin subclasses IgG2 and IgG3 correlated negatively with metabolic control (p < 0.05). A trend towards an increased frequency of IgG2 deficiency was found in patients with DFUs compared to diabetic controls (22% versus 15%; NS). Subgroup R revealed lower levels of immunoglobulins, especially of IgG4 (p < 0.01) in contrast to patients infected by sensitive bacteria. The innate immunity did not differ significantly between the study groups. Conclusion. Our study showed changes mainly in the adaptive immune system represented by low levels of lymphocyte subpopulations and their memory effector cells, and also changes in humoral immunity in patients with DFUs, even those infected by resistant pathogens, in comparison with diabetic controls.

Impact of Inherited Prothrombotic Disorders on the Long-Term Clinical Outcome of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in Patients with Diabetes

The aim of our study was to analyse inherited thrombotic disorders that influence the long-term outcome of PTA. Methods. Diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treated by PTA in our centre between 2008 and 2011 were included in the study. Patients were divided into unsuccessful PTA group (75 patients), successful PTA group (58 patients), and control group (65 patients, with diabetes but no PAD). Diagnosis of inherited thrombotic disorders included mutation in factor V (Leiden), factor II (prothrombin), and mutation in genes for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase-MTHFR (C677T and A1298C). Results. The genotypic frequency of Leiden allele G1691A was significantly associated with a risk of unsuccessful PTA in comparison with successful PTA group and control group (OR 8.8 (1.1-70.6), p = 0.041, and OR 9.8 (1.2-79.2), p = 0.032, resp.). However, we only observed a trend for the association of the prothrombin allele G20210A and risk of PTA failure. The frequencies of alleles of MTHFR 677 or 1298 did not differ significantly among the groups. Conclusion. Our study showed higher frequency of heterozygous form of Leiden mutation in diabetic patients with unsuccessful outcome of PTA in comparison with patients with successful PTA and diabetic patients without PAD.

Predictors of lower-extremity amputation in patients with an infected diabetic foot ulcer

OBJECTIVE

Infection commonly complicates diabetic foot ulcers and is associated with a poor outcome. In a cohort of individuals with an infected diabetic foot ulcer, we aimed to determine independent predictors of lower-extremity amputation and the predictive value for amputation of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) classification system and to develop a risk score for predicting amputation.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We prospectively studied 575 patients with an infected diabetic foot ulcer presenting to 1 of 14 diabetic foot clinics in 10 European countries.

RESULTS

Among these patients, 159 (28%) underwent an amputation. Independent risk factors for amputation were as follows: periwound edema, foul smell, (non)purulent exudate, deep ulcer, positive probe-to-bone test, pretibial edema, fever, and elevated C-reactive protein. Increasing IWGDF severity of infection also independently predicted amputation. We developed a risk score for any amputation and for amputations excluding the lesser toes (including the variables sex, pain on palpation, periwound edema, ulcer size, ulcer depth, and peripheral arterial disease) that predicted amputation better than the IWGDF system (area under the ROC curves 0.80, 0.78, and 0.67, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

For individuals with an infected diabetic foot ulcer, we identified independent predictors of amputation, validated the prognostic value of the IWGDF classification system, and developed a new risk score for amputation that can be readily used in daily clinical practice. Our risk score may have better prognostic accuracy than the IWGDF system, the only currently available system, but our findings need to be validated in other cohorts.

Health-related quality of life predicts major amputation and death, but not healing, in people with diabetes presenting with foot ulcers: the Eurodiale study

OBJECTIVE

Low health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been consistently reported to be associated with poor prognosis for a variety of health outcomes in various settings. We aimed to evaluate whether HRQoL in patients presenting with new diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) has prognostic significance for ulcer healing, major amputation, and death.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We followed 1,088 patients with new DFUs presenting for treatment at one of the 14 centers in 10 European countries participating in the Eurodiale (European Study Group on Diabetes and the Lower Extremity) study, prospectively until healing (76.9%), major amputation (4.6%), or death (6.4%) up to a maximum of 1 year. At baseline, patient and ulcer characteristics were recorded as well as EQ-5D, a standardized instrument consisting of five domains and a visual analog scale for use as a measure of HRQoL. The prognostic influence of the EQ-5D domains was evaluated in multivariable Cox regression analyses on the time-to-event data, adjusting for baseline clinical characteristics of the ulcer and comorbidities.

RESULTS

While predictive effects of HRQoL, adjusted for possible confounders, were absent for healing, decreased HRQoL, especially in the physical domains, was statistically significant for major amputation (mobility, self-care, usual activities) and death (self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort).

CONCLUSIONS

Low HRQoL appears to be predictive for major amputation and death, but high HRQoL does not increase healing. Future studies into the influence of HRQoL on ulcer outcome are important in attempts to decrease treatment failure and mortality.

Does the diabetic foot have a significant impact on selected psychological or social characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus?

The aim of our case-control study was to compare selected psychological and social characteristics between diabetic patients with and without the DF (controls).

METHODS

104 patients with and 48 without DF were included into our study. Both study groups were compared in terms of selected psychosocial characteristics.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, patients with DF had a significantly worse quality of life in the area of health and standard of living as shown by lower physical health domain (12.7 ± 2.8 versus 14.7 ± 2.5; P < 0.001) and environment domain (14.1 ± 2.2 versus 15 ± 1.8; P < 0.01) that negatively correlated with diabetes duration (r = -0.061; P = 0.003). Patients with DF subjectively felt more depressed in contrast to controls (24.5 versus 7.3%; P < 0.05); however, the depressive tuning was objectively proven in higher percentage in both study groups (83.2 versus 89.6; NS). We observed a significantly lower level of achieved education (P < 0.01), more patients with disability pensions (P < 0.01), and low self-support (P < 0.001) in patients with the DF compared to controls. In the subgroup of patients with a previous major amputation and DF (n = 6), there were significantly worse outcomes as in the environment domain (P < 0.01), employment status, and stress readaptation (P < 0.01) in contrast to the main study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with DF had a predominantly worse standard of living. In contrast to our expectations, patients with DF appeared to have good stress tolerability and mental health (with the exception of patients with previous major amputation) and did not reveal severe forms of depression or any associated consequences.

Risk factors for recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers: prospective follow-up analysis in the Eurodiale subgroup

Few studies have examined factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) recurrence. Using data from patients enrolled in the prospective Eurodiale DFU study, we investigated the frequency of and risk factors for DFU recurrence after healing during a 3-year follow-up period. At our site, 93 Eurodiale-enrolled patients had a healed DFU. Among these, 14 were not alive; of the remaining 79 patients we enrolled 73 in this study. On entry to the Eurodiale study, we assessed demographic factors (age, sex and distance from hospital); diabetes-related factors [duration, and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels]; comorbidities (obesity, renal failure, smoking and alcohol abuse) and DFU-related factors [peripheral arterial disease, ulcer infection, C-reactive protein (CRP) and; foot deformities]. During the 3-year follow-up period, a DFU had recurred in 42 patients (57.5%). By stepwise logistic regression of findings at initial DFU presentation, the significant independent predictors for recurrence were plantar ulcer location [odds ratio (OR) 8.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-33.2]; presence of osteomyelitis (OR 5.17, 95% CI 1.4-18.7); HbA1c > 7.5% ([DCCT], OR 4.07, 95% CI 1.1-15.6) and CRP > 5 mg/l (OR 4.27, 95% CI 1.2-15.7). In these patients with a healed DFU, the majority had a recurrence of DFU during a 3-year follow-up period, despite intensive foot care. The findings at diagnosis of the initial DFU were independent risk factors associated with ulcer recurrence (plantar location, bone infection, poor diabetes control and elevated CRP) and define those at high risk for recurrence, but may be amenable to targeted interventions.

Nanofibers prepared by needleless electrospinning technology as scaffolds for wound healing

Electrospun gelatin and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanofibers were prepared using needleless technology and their biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy have been characterized in vitro in cell cultures and in an experimental model of a skin wound. Human dermal fibroblasts, keratinocytes and mesenchymal stem cells seeded on the nanofibers revealed that both nanofibers promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. The effect of nanofibers on wound healing was examined using a full thickness wound model in rats and compared with a standard control treatment with gauze. Significantly faster wound closure was found with gelatin after 5 and 10 days of treatment, but no enhancement with PCL nanofibers was observed. Histological analysis revealed enhanced epithelialisation, increased depth of granulation tissue and increased density of myofibroblasts in the wound area with gelatin nanofibers. The results show that gelatin nanofibers produced by needleless technology accelerate wound healing and may be suitable as a scaffold for cell transfer and skin regeneration.

[Adherence to the international guidelines on the treatment of diabetic leg syndrome--options available in the Czech Republic]

Possibilities of fulfilling of the practical guidelines on the management of the diabetic foot in the Czech Republic are limited by lack of experts and specialized place of work in podiatry, inconsiderable are economic problems, too. Foot care is of highest quality when is directed by a multidisciplinary foot team. In the Czech Republic, there is an urgent need for podiatry training programme and foot clinic support. Investing in diabetic foot programme can be one of the most cost-effective forms of healthcare expenditure, provided the programme is goal-focused and properly implemented. Paper deal with key points of the podiatry programme--organization, health care education and effective prevention and risk patients follow-up, rational surgical treatment and foot infection management, extension of up-to-date methods of PAD treatment, and effective economic approach to foot care especially considering DRG system during hospitalization.

[Treatment of critical limb ischemia and diabetic foot disease by the use of autologous stem cells]

AIM

The aim of our study was to assess safety and effectiveness of therapy of critical limb ischaemia by autologous stem cells and evaluation of potential adverse events.

METHODS

Fourteen patients were included into the study (11 men, 3 women, mean age 61.9 +/- 9.6 years, mean diabetes duration 23.5 +/- 11.1 years, mean glycated hemoglobin 6 +/- 1%). Eight patients were treated by bone marrow stromal cells, 6 patients by peripheral blood progenitor cells after stimulation by filgrastim. The suspension of stem cells was then applied into the muscles of ischemic limbs. We evaluated transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2), subjective pain sensation assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and wound healing.

RESULTS

TcPO2 significantly increased in all patients from 10 +/- 8.7 mm Hg before the treatment to 39.4 +/- 9.5 mm Hg after 6 months (p = 0.0005) after stem cell therapy. We also observed significant area defect reduction and pain decrease during the follow-up period. Median of area defect was reduced from 4.3 (0.7 - 31.7) before the treatment to 0.06 (0 - 0.5) cm2 after 6 months from the treatment (p = 0.0078). Decrease in rest pain was observed in all patients, mean VAS decreased from 5.3 +/- 1.8 to 1.1 +/- 1.3 after 6 months (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that stem cell therapy of diabetic foot disease is an effective therapeutic option with no adverse events for patients with severe peripheral arterial disease. This treatment leads to increase of transcutaneous oxygen tension, improves wound healing and decreases the rest pain.

Role of quantitative bone scanning in the assessment of bone turnover in patients with Charcot foot

OBJECTIVE

To assess the new quantitative bone scan parameters as markers of Charcot neuroosteoarthropathy (CNO) activity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Forty-two patients with acute (n = 21) and nonacute (n = 21) CNO underwent quantitative bone scanning. Patients with acute CNO were followed for 3-12 months and bone scans were repeated after treatment. New quantitative parameters were assessed and compared with markers of bone turnover and with skin temperature difference (STD).

RESULTS

Significant correlations between quantitative bone scan parameters and bone turnover markers were observed (all P < 0.05). These parameters decreased after treatment of CNO, and its reduction to the baseline value correlated with differences of bone turnover markers and STD (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that bone scanning can be used not only for diagnosis of CNO but also for monitoring disease activity by quantitative bone scan parameters.

[Education of diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease and after transplantation]

Despite recent advances in the management of diabetes, diabetic nephropathy is the most frequent cause ofend-stage renal disease. Even when diabetic nephropathy is established, patient's care should be optimized to delay progression of nephropathy or other diabetic complications. Evidence exists for the effectiveness of diet intervention, blood pressure and diabetes control and treatment of metabolic syndrome. We emphasize the need for closer co-operation not only between diabetologists, primary care physicians and nephrologists, but with educated diabetic patients, too. At referral to nephrologist, many patients' care is suboptimal and referral is too late. The most important education information for patients is to stick to diet and keep adequate blood pressure and diabetes control with self-monitoring. Effectiveness of each of these recommendations is critically assessed. Patients after kidney or combined kidney and pancreas transplantation have to be educated mainly in symptoms of rejection and diabetic foot care. They are recommended to take regularly the prescribed medicines, to distinguish the adverse events of immunosuppression and keep all doctor's appointments.

[Examination of tactile disorders in diabetic patients and cooperation with a neurologist]

Examining sensorial dysfunction may be difficult for both the doctor and the patient because subjective feelings are misleading and do not reflect the actual severity of a neurological disorder. Sensorial tests provide objective results of measurements, which can be checked against normal values and which allow for determining the severity of neuropathy. Examining sensorial function on feet is necessary in diabetic patients because its loss is the principal risk factor for ulceration. The examination comprises vibration perception tests using a tuner or a biothesiometer, and evaluating surface sensation with the use of monofilaments. A more detailed type of examination is the testing of the electric current perception threshold with the use of different models of neurometer which allows for examining all three main groups of sensorial nerve fibres, i.e. Abeta (large myelinated), Agamma (small myelinated) and C (non-myelinated). The study evaluated the differences between routine diagnosing of polyneuropathy on outpatient basis and biothesiometer and monofilament examination. We discovered that patients with severe neuropathy diagnosed by non-invasive semi-quantitative examination were diagnosed for neuropathy on outpatient basis only in 54% of cases, which points to the need to extend the use of non-invasive examination to outpatient practice. The Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) assesses neurological functions as a whole, but is more time consuming than simple sensorial tests. Neuropathy self-monitoring by the patient in risk of diabetic foot using the diagnostic test (Neuropad) looks promising. The diabetologist cooperates with a neurologist especially in differential diagnosis of neuropathy, in the treatment of its painful forms and in the classification of its severity.

Effect of acute hyperglycemia and/or hyperinsulinemia on polymorphonuclear functions in healthy subjects

Abnormal immune functions of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells occur in a variety of pathophysiological conditions. There exists a close link between glucose metabolism and PMN functions. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of short-term hyperglycemia and/or hyperinsulinemia on phagocytosis and respiratory burst of PMN cells in healthy subjects in vivo. The study was performed on 12 healthy subjects (mean age, 26.9+/-1.6 years; body mass index, 24.4+/-0.84 kg/m(2)). Acute hyperglycemia and/or hyperinsulinemia was induced by three 4-hour-long clamp studies-hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (HHC), hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (HEC), and isolated hyperglycemic clamp with insulin secretion blockade (HGC). Polymorphonuclear cell phagocytosis and PMN cell respiratory burst (mean percentage and mean fluorescent intensity of phagocyting/activated PMN cells, phagocytic, and respiratory burst indexes) were evaluated by flow cytometry under basal and stimulated conditions. Results detected during clamp studies were compared with those found during a control study with saline infusion. Significant reductions in the mean percentage of phagocyting cells measured under basal conditions after the HHC (6.7%+/-1.3% vs 12.1%+/-4.3%; P<.05) and HGC (4.5% +/-1.8% vs 9.9%+/-2.1%; P<.05) were found in comparison with the pre-clamp study period; however, these results did not differ significantly from those detected during the control clamp (CC) study. Significantly higher phagocytic (115.1+/-65 vs 35.8 +/-18.6; P<.05) and respiratory burst indexes (16.5+/-3 vs 10.1+/-1.4; P<.05) measured under basal conditions were found after HEC in comparison with the pre-clamp data. However, these data did not differ significantly from those found after the CC study. No significant differences in other parameters of detected PMN cell immune functions were found after HHC, HEC, and HGC. In conclusion, immune functions of PMN cells were not significantly influenced by short-lasting hyperglycemia and/or hyperinsulinemia induced in vivo by clamp techniques in healthy subjects compared to changes induced by the CC study. Further studies on the short-term effect of glucose metabolism on PMN functions in diabetic patients should be considered necessary.

[Healing of skin lesions in diabetic foot syndrome during hospitalization]

Wound healing during the diabetic foot disease is indicated to in-patient treatment in case of non-healing wound, in case of serious infection and/or critical ischemia and in case of necessity of surgical treatment. Diabetic foot disease is the main reason for in-patient treatment of people with diabetes, which our experience confirms. Chronic wound is characterised by non-healing for at least 4 weeks. Ischemia and recurrent trauma caused by incomplete off-loading, prolong inflammation and infection are the main reasons for difficult healing of chronic wound. Infection is also leading cause for prolonged hospitalisation of patients with diabetic foot disease. Local decrease of grow factors and increase of tissue protease are characteristics of chronic wound. The process of wound healing is characterized by a cascade of interrelated events involving infection and inflammatory factors. The results of these investigations led to the moist wound healing concept and use of growth factors and bioengineered skin substitutes. We have good experience with the use of xenotransplant skin substitues in the treatment of diabetic foot. Off loading techniques including total contact casting, local therapy by debridement and skin substitutes had the best evidence based efficacy. We are introducing new method of the treatment of diabetic foot--VAC--vacuum assisted closure. The fundamental principle in the therapy during in-patient period, is comprehensive approach; the omitting of any of the principle of the therapy--e.g. the off-loading of the ulcers, the infection and ischemia control, may contribute to its failure.

Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability in patients with Charcot's neuroarthropathy

Charcot's or neuropathic osteoarthropathy is one of the most debilitating orthopedic sequelae of diabetes mellitus. Distinguishing Charcot's neuroarthropathy from clinically similar conditions may be challenging. The neurovascular theory postulates that Charcot's neuroarthropathy may be secondary to sympathetic denervation of the lower-extremity vasculature. A convenient method for assessing autonomic neuropathy in patients with Charcot's neuroarthropathy is needed. Short-term power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart rate variability (HRV), a noninvasive and quantitative method for assessing autonomic neuropathy, may be advantageous compared with the traditionally used Ewing's cardiovascular reflex tests. However, there are limitations to the clinical use of PSA of HRV because of poor standardization. We standardized PSA of HRV and assessed autonomic neuropathy in 17 people with acute Charcot's neuroarthropathy using PSA of HRV versus Ewing's tests. More patients with Charcot's neuroarthropathy were diagnosed as having autonomic neuropathy with PSA of HRV than with Ewing's tests (94% versus 82%); however, no significant difference between the two methods was found. The results of this study suggest that PSA of HRV requires minimal patient collaboration and time expenditure compared with Ewing's tests and may be useful in detecting autonomic neuropathy in patients with Charcot's neuroarthropathy.

[Optimization of amoxicillin/clavulanate therapy based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters in patients with diabetic foot infection]

AIM OF THE STUDY

Individualized optimization of amoxicillin/clavulanate (AMC) antimicrobial therapy in diabetic foot infection.

METHODS

Pharmacokinetic analysis of individual steady-state plasma amoxicillin concentrations was done both in the i.v. infusion phase and in the oral phase of AMC, administered on the basis of the quantitative susceptibility of the detected microbe(s). The in vitro growth/killing dynamic parameters on model of Staphylococcus aureus as the most frequent isolate were evaluated. Therapeutic protocol optimization, leading to prediction of the earliest time to reduce the number of viable bacteria to 10-6 as a surrogate criterion of efficacy, was performed.

RESULTS

Based on individual plasma amoxicillin oscillations in 17 patients suffering from infected diabetic foot ulcers and the model microbial dynamic parameters, the reduction of the number of viable bacteria was reached significantly earlier after the administration of continuous i.v. AMC infusion than after the same daily AMC dose administered intermittently. In case of highly susceptible staphylococcal strain, highly frequent oral therapy of AMC (not longer than 8 hrs dosing interval) was also sufficiently effective. Decreasing plasma amoxicillin concentrations exponentially extended the time required for effective reduction of microbes.

CONCLUSION

Individualized optimization of amoxicillin/clavulanate dosage on the basis of growth/killing microbial dynamic parameters and antibiotic concentration/time fluctuations may enhance the antimicrobial effect and the treatment of infected non-critical ischemic diabetic foot ulcers.

Comparison of microbial findings and resistance to antibiotics between transplant patients, patients on hemodialysis, and other patients with the diabetic foot

Infectious complications of the diabetic foot may be influenced by impaired renal function and by immunosuppression therapy.

AIMS

To assess differences in microbial findings and resistance to antibiotics between transplant recipients, hemodialysis patients, and other patients with the diabetic foot.

METHODS

207 patients treated in the foot clinic for diabetic ulcers from 12/1998 to 12/1999 were included into this retrospective study. Patients were divided into three groups (transplant, dialysis, and other patients). Occurrence of individual bacterial species and resistance to antibiotics was compared between study groups.

RESULTS

Study groups did not differ significantly in ulcer grades defined by the Wagner classification or in the mean number of pathogens per patient. The prevalence of individual microorganisms did not differ between the study groups. However, the study groups differed significantly in the occurrence of microbial resistance to antibiotics. Transplant patients had more frequently Staphylococcus aureus resistant to oxacillin (P<.01), imipenem (P<.01), co-trimoxazole (P<.01), Enterococcus species resistant to ampicillin (P<.01), piperacillin (P<.01), and dialysis patients had more frequently Pseudomonas species resistant to piperacillin (P<.05) and cefpirom (P<.05) in comparison with the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Transplant patients had significantly more resistant microorganisms in comparison with dialysis and other patients with the diabetic foot. Empiric antibiotic selection based on general population data should be modified in transplant patients with diabetic foot according to actual susceptibility to antibacterial drugs.

Cardiovascular risk factors in young Czech females with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) could be associated with a variety of signs of metabolic syndrome. The aim of our study was to compare the cardiovascular risk factors in PCOS women and in a control group selected from a random population sample.

METHODS AND RESULTS

50 PCOS women with a mean (+/-SD) age of 30.7 +/- 4.2 years, and 335 controls with a mean age of 29.9 +/- 3.1 years selected from a random population sample of nine districts of the Czech Republic were compared for basic anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, plasma lipids and fasting glucose. PCOS women had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI). After adjusting for BMI, PCOS women had higher blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol, and lower HDL and HDL-cholesterol/total ratio. Arterial hypertension was more prevalent in PCOS women than in controls. There was no difference in the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose between both groups. Impaired glucose tolerance was found in 11.8% of PCOS women. Diabetes mellitus was more frequent in PCOS families.

CONCLUSIONS

Czech PCOS women, even in their thirties, show a significantly worse cardiovascular risk profile than a control group selected from a random population sample. The differences cannot be explained by obesity.

[Analysis of the inflammation reaction and selected indicators of immunity in patients with an infected diabetic ulcer]

BACKGROUND

Patients with diabetes represent 50 to 70% of patients who undergo nontraumatic foot or leg amputation, caused mostly by infection and necrosis of soft tissues accompanied with osteomyelitis. Signs and symptoms of infections may often be absent in patients with infected foot ulcers--the syndrome of "diabetic foot" (DF). The course and consequences of the infection may be influenced by the immune system dysfunction. The aim of our study was to assess presence of the chronic inflammation and specific immune responses, both humoral and cellular in patients with diabetic foot infection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

34 patients treated over one month for an infected DF in our foot clinic (mean age 54 +/- 8 years, mean duration of diabetes 20 +/- 9 years, mean HbAlc 8.8 +/- 1.5%), were matched with 27 healthy subjects. All patients were without clinical signs of acute deep foot infection and without critical leg ischemia. The inflammatory response was assessed by white blood cells count and C-reactive protein (CRP), humoral immune response was assessed by immunoglobulins (Ig) and cellular immunity was evaluated by T lymphocytes subpopulations. Patients with DF compared with healthy controls exhibited the laboratory signs of infection--significantly increased white blood cells count (7.6 +/- 2.1 vs. 6.4 +/- 1.3.10(9)/l, p < 0.01) and neutrophil count (4.6 +/- 1.8 vs. 3.8 +/- 0.9.10(9)/l, p < 0.05) and significantly increased CRP (7 +/- 12 vs. 2 +/- 6 mg/l, p < 0.01). Patients with DF had also significantly higher IgA levels (3.5 +/- 1.6 vs. 2.7 +/- 1.1 g/l, p < 0.05) and significantly more CD3+ T cells (76 +/- 8 vs. 71 +/- 10%, p < 0.05) and suppressor/cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (32 +/- 11 vs. 26 +/- 10%, p < 0.05). Other followed parameters IgG, IgM and serum monocyte and lymphocyte counts, CD4+ helper T cells and CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio did not differ between patients with DF and healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not anticipate a severe secondary immunodeficiency in followed cellular and humoral immune parameters in patients with chronic bacterial foot infection. It is necessary to assess the sufficiency of immune system activation with respect to chronic inflammation in next research.

[Basic questions in therapy of the diabetic foot]

The diabetic foot syndrome including foot tissue impairment distally from the ankle associated with neuropathy and angiopathy in diabetic patients is the main cause of amputations. However, amputations are not inevitable and the provision of rapid and intensive treatment of foot complications in multidisciplinary foot clinics can reduce the number of amputations in diabetic patients. The fundamental principle in the therapy is comprehensive approach; the omitting of any of the principle of the therapy may contribute to its failure. The most frequent case in the praxis is the omitting of the of-loading of the ulcers e.g. by the therapeutic shoes (half-shoes) or special contact cast. The infection control by local debridement and systemic antibiotic therapy is crucial. The higher risk of infection may be related to abnormalities in immunity. The condition for wound healing is good vascular supply by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and/or by peripheral vascular bypasses most frequent performed on infrapopliteal vessels. Especial attention is necessary to give to therapy of Charcot osteoarthropathy. Good metabolic control in some patients is achievable only by intensive insulin treatment, sometimes by insulin pumps. Early recognition of the at-risk patients and the prompt institution of preventive measures may stop new ulcerations and amputations.

[Pathogen resistance and other risk factors in the frequency of lower limb amputations in patients with the diabetic foot syndrome]

Patients with diabetes mellitus undergo more amputations due to peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy and especially to infection requiring long-lasting antibiotic therapy than non diabetic patients. The aim of our study was to assess the association between the presence of resistant pathogens presented in diabetic ulcers and the frequency of lower limb amputations.

METHODS

191 diabetic patients consecutively treated for the diabetic foot in our foot clinic were included into two years retrospective study. Peripheral ischemia, the presence of osteomyelitis and the incidence of all Gram positive and negative resistant pathogens (defined as resistance to all oral antibiotics) especially of resistant Staphylococcus species presenting in diabetic foot ulcers were determined.

RESULTS

50/191 (26%) patients underwent amputation, of whom 44/50 (88%) had minor and 6/50 (12%) had major amputations. 53/181 (29%) patients with diabetic foot ulcers had resistant pathogens in their defects. Amputated patients had significantly more resistant microorganisms than patients without amputations--24/42 (57%) vs. 29/139 (21%); p < 0.001. Resistant Staphylococcus species were found in 21% (38/181) of all patients. Patients with amputations had significantly more resistant Staphylococcus species in comparison with patients without amputations--18/42 (43%) vs. 20/139 (14%); p < 0.001. Significantly higher incidence of peripheral vascular disease--79% (38/48) vs. 60% (81/136); p < 0.05 and osteomyelitis--69% (33/48) vs. 13% (18/140); p < 0.001--were found in patients with amputations in comparison with patients without amputations.

CONCLUSION

The presence of pathogens resistant to all oral antibiotics and especially of resistant Staphylococcus species was significantly higher in diabetic patients with lower limb amputations in comparison with patients without amputations.

[Non-specific immune responses in patients with chronic diabetic foot syndrome and chronic bacterial infection]

Chronic bacterial ulcers infection is a frequent cause of non-healing diabetic foot. The major factors of a non-specific immune response are phagocytic cells including polymporphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes, and humoral systems (complement). PMN leukocytes remove microorganisms by phagocytosis a part of it is intracellular killing and degradation in a process requiring energy and associated with "respiratory burst". The aim of our study was to assess non-specific immune response in patients with diabetic foot syndrome and chronic bacterial infection. 30 patients treated over one month with antibiotics for an infected diabetic foot in our foot clinic had significantly lower values of "oxidative burst" of PMN leukocytes in basal state (396 +/- 228 vs. 574 +/- 337, p < 0.05) in comparison with 25 matched healthy controls. There were no significant differences neither in the count of active phagocyting PMN leukocytes and their initial phagocytic activity nor in the humoral component of non-specific immunity (in circulating immunocomplexes, C3 and C4 components of complement) between both groups. The results of our study show a slightly altered non-specific immune response in patients with diabetic foot syndrome and chronic bacterial infection.

[Pedal bypass in the treatment of ischemic diabetic foot]

AIM

The aim of this retrospective analysis was assessment of both patency and limb salvage rates of diabetic ischemic feet which underwent pedal bypass surgery within the period of 3 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Authors evaluated 50 critically ischemic diabetic feet where the pedal bypass was indicated for limb salvage. Total 41 pedal bypasses were performed and median follow-up was 16.7 months (1-39). The free muscle transfer were performed either in one session with or subsequently after the pedal bypass surgery in six limbs.

RESULTS

Authors achieved 61% and 76% graft patency and limb salvage rates, respectively, within the median 16.7 months follow-up. All successfully revascularised feet healed up within the median period of 3 months postoperatively. No patient died within 30 days postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

We conclude, that pedal bypass is safe procedure with acceptable limb salvage rate in the medium-term follow-up. Surgeons can markedly extend an indication criterions for limb salvage by exploiting of this technique.

[Surgical treatment of ischemia in the diabetic foot syndrome]

The authors present their results of the treatment of diabetic foot critical ischemia by means of surgical revascularisation together with minor amputation or debridement. They discuss the causes of higher amputations and re-amputations in revascularised ischemic diabetic lower limbs and presents patency rates in different types of peripheral arterial bypasses. The authors evaluated 81 diabetic feet with chronic critical ischemia, where they performed 50 arterial bypass procedures in the 50 limbs (13 femoropopliteal, 13 femorodistal, 19 pedal bypasses and 5 aorto/ilicofemoral or extraanatomical bypasses). 41 minor amputations or debridements (82%), 6 minor re-amputations (12%) was performed in the group of 50 revascularised limbs. The primary patency rates, secondary patency rates and limb salvage was achieved 92%, 92% and 92% in femoropopliteal bypass, 91%, 91% and 92% in femorodistal bypass, 78%, 83% and 84% in pedal bypass, respectively. The average follow-up time was 11.4 months. 6 minor re-amputations (12%) and 5 high amputations was necessary to perform in the group of 50 revascularised lower limbs. The main cause of re-amputation and high amputation was continuing ischemia. 30 day mortality rate was 0%, 30 day morbidity rate was 8% (myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism).

[Parameters of power spectral analysis of heart rate variability for use in clinical evaluation of various stages of diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy]

The aim of the study was to select parameters of power spectral analysis appropriate for clinical evaluation of various degrees of diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. The diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy was based on Ewing's battery of cardiovascular autonomic function tests and on short-term power spectral analysis of heart rate variability during a modified orthostatic load (in positions supine-standing-supine). 52 diabetic patients and 24 age-matched controls were included. Diabetic patients were divided into two groups according to the total Ewing score. Groups of 14 subjects with early autonomic neuropathy and 38 subjects with severe AN were comparable in age and diabetes duration.

RESULTS

Cumulative spectral power of the total frequency band in all three positions (Total Power LFHF 1 + 2 + 3) proved to be the most selective and discriminating parameter of power spectral analysis between the control group and diabetic patients with severe autonomic neuropathy in stepwise discriminant analysis. Spectral power of low-frequency band in positions 1 + 2 + 3 (Power LF 1 + 2 + 3) proved to be the most selective and discriminating parameter between diabetic groups with early and severe autonomic neuropathy.

CONCLUSION

The most discriminating parameters of power spectral analysis of heart rate variability for the determination of autonomic function seem to be Total Power LFHF 1 + 2 + 3 and Power LF 1 + 2 + 3.