Columbia VA Podiatrist Recognized for Research on Emotional Impact of Diabetic Amputations
Dr. Brandon Brooks, a podiatrist at the Columbia VA Health Care System, received first place honors at the 10th Annual Conference of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons for his innovative research on the psychological burden of diabetes-related amputations. His study introduces the concept of DREADD—Diabetes-Related Extremity Amputation Depression & Distress—to better understand the emotional trauma experienced by patients undergoing even minor amputations.
Key Highlights:
- DREADD Framework: Dr. Brooks coined the acronym to emphasize that minor, non-traumatic amputations—such as toe removal—can lead to serious emotional consequences, including depression, anxiety, and treatment noncompliance.
- Impact on Patient Behavior: The study found that approximately 90% of patients reported increased emotional distress after minor amputations, which contributed to poorer disease management, such as missed appointments and medication lapses.
- Call for Integrated Care: Dr. Brooks advocates for integrating behavioral health into limb preservation teams and utilizing tools like the PHQ-9 to screen for depressive symptoms during podiatric care.
This research adds an important dimension to limb preservation, stressing that successful outcomes require attention not only to physical recovery but also to emotional well-being. Dr. Brooks collaborated on the study with his brother, Dr. Bradley Brooks, a board-certified psychiatrist, highlighting the value of interdisciplinary teamwork in advancing diabetic foot care.
Read the full article on the VA News website.
Keywords:
diabetes-related amputations,
psychological distress,
limb preservation,
Brandon Brooks,
Bradley Brooks