Complications of Cellulitis in Diabetic Foot Infections
Complications of Cellulitis in Diabetic Foot Infections
Patients with diabetes have a 30-fold higher risk of lower-extremity amputation due to infection compared with patients without diabetes. Diabetic foot infections that are not appropriately treated because of delayed diagnosis or that are inadequately treated lead to lower-extremity amputation in approximately 10% of patients. Lower-extremity amputations may be debilitating and can dramatically affect the patient's quality of life. Successful outcome depends upon prompt identification of the infection, followed by appropriate antibiotic therapy in conjunction with good wound care and judicious use of surgical procedures when warranted.
Community pharmacists can play an integral role in educating patients about foot care and in recognizing ulcers that can lead to skin infections such as cellulitis, which involves the epidermis, dermis, and—in more complicated cases—subcutaneous tissue. Resulting from a cut, abrasion, trauma, or puncture, cellulitis may lead to diabetic foot infection. The presence of a foot wound does not necessarily signify infection; however, an existing infection must be treated. Infection is indicated by the presence of purulent secretions or at least two of the following symptoms: erythema, warmth, tenderness, pain, and induration. The clinician should also be alert for friable tissue, wound tenderness, and/or foul odor.
Abstract and Introduction
Introduction
Patients with diabetes have a 30-fold higher risk of lower-extremity amputation due to infection compared with patients without diabetes. Diabetic foot infections that are not appropriately treated because of delayed diagnosis or that are inadequately treated lead to lower-extremity amputation in approximately 10% of patients. Lower-extremity amputations may be debilitating and can dramatically affect the patient's quality of life. Successful outcome depends upon prompt identification of the infection, followed by appropriate antibiotic therapy in conjunction with good wound care and judicious use of surgical procedures when warranted.
Community pharmacists can play an integral role in educating patients about foot care and in recognizing ulcers that can lead to skin infections such as cellulitis, which involves the epidermis, dermis, and—in more complicated cases—subcutaneous tissue. Resulting from a cut, abrasion, trauma, or puncture, cellulitis may lead to diabetic foot infection. The presence of a foot wound does not necessarily signify infection; however, an existing infection must be treated. Infection is indicated by the presence of purulent secretions or at least two of the following symptoms: erythema, warmth, tenderness, pain, and induration. The clinician should also be alert for friable tissue, wound tenderness, and/or foul odor.
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