A clinical practice guideline by the Society for Vascular Surgery in collaboration with the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Society for Vascular Medicine
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic disease and limb loss worldwide, currently affecting 382 million people. It is predicted that by 2035, the number of reported diabetes cases will soar to 592 million.1 This disease affects the developing countries disproportionately as >80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. As the number of people with diabetes is increasing globally, its consequences are worsening. The World Health Organization projects that diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death in 2030.3 A further effect of the explosive growth in diabetes worldwide is that it has become one of the leading causes of limb loss. Every year, >1 million people with diabetes suffer limb loss as a result of diabetes. This means that every 20 seconds, an amputation occurs in the world as an outcome of this debilitating disease. Diabetic foot disease is common, and its incidence will only increase as the population ages and the obesity epidemic continues … read more