Efficacy of telemedicine applications in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A focus on mortality and major amputation rates.
Mesut DemirkoparanArman VahabiBerker ÖzbekMerve Mert VahabiIlgın Yildirim ŞimşirHüseyin Aytaç ErdemAnil Murat OzturkŞevki ÇetinkalpPublished in: International wound journal (2023)
Amputations related to diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Glycaemic control and close follow-up protocols are essential to prevent such ulcers. Coronavirus disease (COVID) related restrictions and regulations might have a negative impact on patients who are with DFU or candidates for DFU. We retrospectively analysed 126 cases that had DFU underwent amputation surgery. Comparative analyses were done between cases that were admitted before COVID restrictions (Group A) and cases admitted after COVID restrictions (Group B). Two groups were homogenic demographically. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of mortality (p = 0.239) and amputation rates (p = 0.461). The number of emergent cases in the pandemic period doubled the number in pre-pandemic period even though this finding was not statistically significant (p = 0.112). Fastly adapted consulting practice and follow-up protocols to compensate for the problems created by COVID-related regulations seem to be effective in terms of mortality and amputation rates.
Keyphrases
- coronavirus disease
- sars cov
- lower limb
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- cardiovascular events
- peripheral artery disease
- end stage renal disease
- type diabetes
- risk factors
- minimally invasive
- ejection fraction
- healthcare
- newly diagnosed
- primary care
- peritoneal dialysis
- prognostic factors
- coronary artery bypass
- coronary artery disease
- quality improvement
- patient reported outcomes