On diabetic foot, wound healing, amputation prevention, and the merger of consumer tech with medical devices
We are seeing and better approaches to assisting us in identifying subtle asymmetries and personalized discontinuities in thermometry. This work from our Qatari colleagues is just such an example. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, and is correlated to a high index of mortality. One of its major... Continue Reading →
Enjoy this deep dive into the current status of data supporting or refuting use of thermometry Aim: To perform an updated systematic review of randomised controlled trials examining the efficacy of at-home foot temperature monitoring in reducing the risk of a diabetes-related foot ulcer (DFU). Methods: Systematic review performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Risk-of-bias was assessed using... Continue Reading →
Terrific work from Featherson and coworkers lending further light on the role (and limitations) of thermometry/thermography in predicting reulceration in diabetic foot remission Monitoring foot skin temperatures at home have been shown to be effective at preventing the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers. In this study, the construct validity of using >2.2°C difference between contralateral... Continue Reading →
Great work from Wendland and Doolittle.
Important work from Sicco Bus, et al. published in BMJ Diabetes This RCT (DIATEMP) suggests that it's not enough just to know that you've a preulcerative hot spot-- but you need to do something about it. In this case, patients were told to reduce activity. Effectiveness of at-home skin temperature monitoring in reducing the incidence... Continue Reading →
Here is important work from our long-time Dutch friends and colleagues. Bottom line: there are now key factors that can be inputted into models to predict (and therefore reduce) risk for reulceration in patients in diabetic foot remission. This is the first multivariate model we've seen include use of personal thermometry. Wouter B Aan de... Continue Reading →
Superb work from Georgina Gethin and team at NUI Galway. Can a wound have a "normal" temperature? Can it be "febrile"? Wound bed temperature measurement holds the potential to be a safe, easy to use, and low‐cost tool to aid objective wound bed assessment, clinical decision making and improved patient outcomes. However, there is no... Continue Reading →
