UT Health San Antonio Study Uncovers Key Risk Factors for Diabetic Foot Infection Recurrence
A recent study conducted by researchers at UT Health San Antonio has identified significant risk factors contributing to the recurrence of diabetic foot infections. Published in the International Wound Journal in November 2024, the study analyzed eight years of patient data to understand why nearly half of patients treated for diabetic foot infections experience reinfection within a year.
Led by Dr. Lawrence A. Lavery, DPM, MPH, a specialist in diabetic foot complications and professor of orthopaedics, the research reviewed records of 294 patients hospitalized for moderate to severe diabetic foot infections. The findings revealed that patients with wounds unhealed after three months were three times more likely to experience reinfection. Additionally, those with bone infections had more than twice the risk compared to patients with only soft tissue infections.
Dr. Lavery emphasized the importance of wound healing in preventing reinfections, stating, “When your wound fails to heal or you develop another wound, the clock starts ticking.” The study also highlighted that patients with unhealed wounds faced longer healing times, increased hospital readmissions, and extended hospital stays, underscoring the need for early intervention and comprehensive care strategies.
Read the full article on the UT Health San Antonio Newsroom.
Keywords:
Diabetic foot infection,
Infection recurrence,
Wound healing,
Bone infection,
Peripheral neuropathy,
UT Health San Antonio,
Lawrence A. Lavery
Note: The above synopsis is based on the article’s content and available information. For a comprehensive understanding, please refer to the full article.