Does Cognitive Dysfunction Impact Diabetic Foot Ulcer Outcomes?
In a retrospective study presented at the SAWC Fall Symposium, Dr. Christopher Girgis and colleagues explored how cognitive dysfunction affects healing outcomes in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The findings raise critical considerations for clinicians treating this vulnerable population.
Key Findings:
- Patient Profile: The study included 56 patients with DFUs and cognitive dysfunction (mean age 71.9) and 68 patients with DFUs but without cognitive dysfunction (mean age 56).
- Healing Outcomes: At 6 months, only 32% of patients with cognitive dysfunction achieved healing, compared to 72% in the non-cognitively impaired group.
- Amputations and Admissions: Higher-level amputations were more frequent in the cognitive dysfunction group (17.8% vs 5.9%), and hospital admissions were nearly twice as common (57.1% vs 33.8%).
Clinical Implications: Cognitive dysfunction may severely hinder a patient’s ability to perform self-care, a critical factor in DFU management. Dr. Girgis emphasizes the need for better screening protocols in podiatric settings and urges providers to involve caregivers, initiate referrals to neurology when appropriate, and consider home health or social work support.
Tailored patient education and tighter follow-up protocols may help reduce poor outcomes and guide future prospective studies on cognitive screening tools in wound care.
Keywords:
Christopher Girgis,
Rebecca E. Cohen,
Rostyslav Bublii,
Rimvydas A. Statkus,
diabetic foot ulcers,
cognitive impairment,
amputation risk,
self-care adherence,
SAWC Fall