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. 2023 Dec;20(10):3955-3962.
doi: 10.1111/iwj.14283. Epub 2023 Jun 20.

Efficacy of telemedicine applications in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A focus on mortality and major amputation rates

Mesut Demirkoparan  1 , Arman Vahabi  1 , Berker Özbek  1 , Merve Mert  2 , Ilgın Yıldırım Şimşir  3 , Hüseyin Aytaç Erdem  2 , Anıl Murat Öztürk  1 , Şevki Çetinkalp  3
Affiliations

Efficacy of telemedicine applications in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A focus on mortality and major amputation rates

Mesut Demirkoparan et al. Int Wound J. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Amputations related to diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Glycaemic control and close follow-up protocols are essential to prevent such ulcers. Coronavirus disease (COVID) related restrictions and regulations might have a negative impact on patients who are with DFU or candidates for DFU. We retrospectively analysed 126 cases that had DFU underwent amputation surgery. Comparative analyses were done between cases that were admitted before COVID restrictions (Group A) and cases admitted after COVID restrictions (Group B). Two groups were homogenic demographically. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of mortality (p = 0.239) and amputation rates (p = 0.461). The number of emergent cases in the pandemic period doubled the number in pre-pandemic period even though this finding was not statistically significant (p = 0.112). Fastly adapted consulting practice and follow-up protocols to compensate for the problems created by COVID-related regulations seem to be effective in terms of mortality and amputation rates.

Keywords: COVID-19; amputation; diabetic foot ulcer; mortality; pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this manuscript. There is no commercial relation with third parties and no funds were received in any terms.

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