PÉČE O PACIENTY SE SYNDROMEM DIABETICKÉ NOHY PODLE MEZINÁRODNÍHO KONSENZU

Foot Care as Recommended by the International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot

In the last year an International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot has been developped by a group of independent experts from all over the world. The definition of the diabetic foot is based on WHO criteria as infection, ulceration and/or destruction of deep tissues associated with neurological abnormalities and various degrees of peripheral vascular disease in the lower limb. It is one of the most serious complications of diabetes: approximately 50% of all non-traumatic amputations are performed on patients with diabetes, it is a frequent cause of hospitalisation and disability of diabetic patients. Comprehensive prevention and therapy of diabetic foot provided by a podiatric team may reduce the number of amputations by 50% and it may decrease substantially the cost of long-lasting therapy. In all countries foot-care management should be organised at the general practitioner and podiatric nurse level and specialised foot centres with a diabetologist, a podiatric nurse, a radiologist, general, orthopaedic and vascular surgeons, an orthopaedic technician and a physiotherapist should be formed. The podiatric team has the following responsibilities - to identify patients at high risk and monitor them and to treat patients with ulcers. Treatment of diabetic foot must include non-weight bearing, long-lasting antibiotic therapy, improving circulation and topical treatment-debridement.

Key words:
diabetes, diabetic foot, neuropathy, angiopathy.