Foot mat helps predict recurrent diabetic foot ulcers

Data indicate that many cases of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are recurrences. Therefore, predicting the condition in patients with a history of DFU could improve outcomes.

In a study reported in Diabetes Care
^[1] (online, 2 May 2017), researchers explored whether a wireless, daily-use, temperature-monitoring foot mat could predict the development of recurrent DFU in a cohort of 132 patients with diabetes over 34 weeks. The device is designed on the principle that a difference in skin temperature between the two feet indicates local inflammation.

A total of 37 participants presented with 53 DFU during the study period.

Of those, the team found that, at an asymmetry of 2.22°Celsius, the system accurately predicted DFU at an average lead time of 37 days in 97% of cases. The false-positive rate was 57%. On average, 86% of the cohort used the system at least three days a week.

The researchers conclude that the mat could allow reductions in morbidity, mortality and resource use that result from DFU.