Frailty Progression and Outcomes in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Summary: A prospective study published in Surgery (August 13, 2025) by Hong et al. from USC Keck School of Medicine examined frailty development in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) over a 12-month period. Using the Clinical Frailty Scale, researchers followed 178 individuals to track frailty progression and its impact on clinical outcomes.
Key Findings:
- At baseline, 42% of participants were frail and remained so after one year; 25% of those initially nonfrail developed frailty.
- Baseline frailty was significantly associated with peripheral artery disease, myocardial infarction, and non-Hispanic ethnicity.
- Progression to frailty among nonfrail participants was linked to peripheral artery disease (OR 4.64), nonhealing ulcers (OR 2.96), revascularization (OR 9.09), and DFU-related hospitalizations (OR 1.96).
Implications: Frailty frequently persists in DFU patients but can also develop over time. Routine frailty screening and proactive interventions—such as improving circulation, preventing hospitalizations, and supporting wound healing—may help reduce adverse outcomes.
Read the full article on Diabetic Foot Online
Keywords:
frailty progression,
diabetic foot ulcers,
Clinical Frailty Scale,
peripheral artery disease,
wound hospitalizations,
rehabilitation strategies,
USC Keck School of Medicine