Amputation-free survival in 17,353 people at high risk for foot ulceration

Using data from the Scottish Care Information-Diabetes register (N=247,278), researchers analyzed 17,353 individuals with diabetes and at high risk for foot ulceration (“high-risk foot”) from January 2008 to December 2011 to determine amputation-free survival and to compare different subcategories of high-risk foot. According to findings, for those with diabetes and at high risk for foot ulceration, the risk of death was up to nine times the risk of amputation. In addition, those with diabetes who had healed ulcers displayed higher death rates than those with active ulcers. However, the highest risk of amputation was noted for people with active ulcers.