Clinical Diabetology (ISSN 2450-7458) is published six times a year by "Via Medica sp. z o.o." sp.k.

No abstract

Glycaemic control remains a very important component of treatment for type 2 diabetes and contrasting results from the ACCORD, ADVANCE and VADT should not discourage physicians from controlling blood glucose levels.

PurposeNegative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is an adjunct method used in the treatment of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU). Real world data on its effectiveness and safety is scarce. In this prospective observational study, we assessed the short-term efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of NPWT in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and neuropathic, noninfected DFUs.MethodsBased on wound characteristics, mainly area (>1 vs. ≤1 cm2), 75 patients with DFUs treated in an outpatient clinic were assigned to NPWT (n = 53) or standard therapy (n = 22). Wound area reduction was evaluated after 8 ± 1 days. Long-term outcomes assessed included complete ulceration closure and recurrence rate.ResultsPatients assigned to NPWT were characterized by greater wound area (15.7 vs. 2.9 cm2). Reduction in wound area was found in both the NPWT (−1.1 cm2, −10.2%, p = 0.0001) and comparator group (−0.3 cm2, −18.0%, p = 0.0038). No serious adverse events related to NPWT were noted. Within 1 year, 55.1% (27/49) of DFUs were closed in the NPWT group and 73.7% (14/19) in the comparator group (p = 0.15). In the logistic regression, wound duration and smaller initial area, but not treatment mode, were associated with closure. One-year follow-up after DFU resolution revealed an ~30.0% recurrence rate in both groups (p = 0.88).ConclusionsNPWT is a safe treatment for neuropathic, nonischemic, and noninfected DFU in patients with T2DM, although this observational study did not prove its effectiveness over standard therapy. Additionally, we report a high rate of both closure and recurrence of ulcers, the latter irrespective of initial ulcer area.

We suggest that genetic factors, particularly OPG gene polymorphisms, may play a role in the development of diabetic Charcot neuroarthropathy.