New Research Suggests Care by DPMs May Improve Outcomes for Certain Patient Types

APMA is proud to highlight a recent peer-reviewed article published in JAMA Network Open: Foot and Ankle Care by Podiatrists and Amputations in Patients With Diabetes and Kidney Failure.

The authors wanted to understand whether preemptive foot and ankle care provided by podiatrists was associated with a reduced risk of limb loss and/or mortality in dialysis patients who are at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers. The researchers found, in their nearly 15,000-patient cohort, that foot and ankle care by podiatrists prior to the occurrence of a diabetic foot ulcer was associated with lower rates of amputation and/or death. Additionally, the rate of major amputation (above-knee, below-knee) was decreased.

These findings suggest that, for individuals with kidney failure on dialysis, receiving foot and ankle care by podiatrists before the onset of diabetic foot ulcers may be associated with improved outcomes.

APMA appreciates the effort of the researchers as this article will be helpful as APMA continues to defend member podiatric physicians and surgeons.