• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.3-5
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• 2000

Of 16 million diabetic patients in the USA, 2.4 millions have experienced diabetic foot ulcer and 67,000 have amputations every year. For treatment of diabetic foot ulcer, Americans spend more than $1 billion each year, including $36,000 per patient for complete treatment and $60,000 for each amputation. Neuropathy and ischemia, two common complications of diabetes mellitus, are the primary underlying risk factors for development of diabetic foot ulcers. Ischemic ulcers develop as a result of low perfusion pressure in the foot with inadequate blood supply, whereas neuropathic ulcers develop from loss of protective sensation. In addition, diabetes also increases the risk of infection by impairing the body's ability to eliminate bacteria. From these circumstances, results are chronic wounds with impaired healing ability.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2014

Amputation of diabetic foot ulcer and infection is a critical modality for saving a patient's life from life threatening infections or ischemic limbs. However, it can cause serious handicaps or complications, such as lifetime shortening and re-amputation of the other limb. The minimal amputation is the main goal of amputation in diabetic patients. However, insufficient amputation can have a harmful effect on patients. The decision of amputation is very difficult and should be made using multidisciplinary approaches. All aspects of the patient's situation, including vascular status, degree of infection, and medical conditions should be considered. The foot surgeon should keep in mind the notion that proper amputation can lead to a new life for diabetic foot patients.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.121-125
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigates the amputation rate within 1 year after the diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer and its associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 60 patients with diabetic foot ulcer. The mean and standard deviation age was $64.4{\pm}12.8years$ (range, 32~89 years); the mean and standard deviation prevalence period for diabetes mellitus was $21.0{\pm}7.5years$ (range, 0.5~36 years). The amputation rate was evaluated by dividing the subjects into two groups - the major and minor amputation groups - within 1 year following the initial diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for amputation. Results: The total amputation rate of 38.3% (n=23) was comprised of the amputation rate for the major amputation group (10.0%) and rate for the minor amputation group (23.8%). There was a high correlation between peripheral artery disease (toe brachial pressure index <0.7) and amputation (hazard ratio [HR] 5.81, confidence interval [CI] 2.09~16.1, p<0.01). Nephropathy was significantly correlated with the amputation rate (HR 3.53, CI 1.29~9.64, p=0.01). Conclusion: Clinicians who treat patients with diabetic foot complications must understand the fact that the amputation rate within 1 year is significant, and that the amputation rate of patients with peripheral artery disease or nephropathy is especially high.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.223-233
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to systematically review the contents and effectiveness of education programs for preventing diabetic foot ulcer among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched using search terms, and 748 articles were identified. Ten articles were eligible based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Article quality was evaluated using a critical evaluation checklist for manuscripts before performing the systematic review. Results: Although education programs for preventing diabetic foot ulcers have been continuously studied for 20 years, the number of studies is small, and to our knowledge, there have been no studies reporting on the subsequent prevalence of foot ulcers or amputations. While the effect of these education programs on knowledge (ES=1.23) and self-management behavior (ES=.96) was shown to be statistically significant, it was not shown to be significant in preventing diabetic foot ulcers (ES=.03). Conclusion: The actual preventive effect on the prevalence of foot ulcers, through education programs for preventing diabetic foot ulcer could not be determined. Our findings highlight a potential need for studies aimed at developing effective programs to improve education on preventing diabetic foot ulcers.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the results of anterolateral thigh perforator free flap for reconstruction of foot and ankle in old diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Fifteen diabetic foot ulcer patients over the age of 55 were operated with anterolateral thigh perforator free flap. Hematological, hemodynamic, diabetic, bacteriologic and radiologic tests were checked with examination of blood vessel state in both the donor site and the recipient site. After surgery, serial check-up was performed at 6 week, 6 month, and 1 year postoperatively on the survival of transplantation tissue, condition of foot, and condition of walking. Results: There are one case of transplantation failure and four cases of partial tissue-necrosis. Delayed wound-healing was observed both recipient and donor tissue sites. At the final follow up, three cases of small ulcer were found at junction of flap and recipient tissue in plantar area. Fourteen out of fifteen patients could walk without any brace or walking aids. Conclusion: Reconstruction of foot and ankle region in old diabetic patients with the anterolateral thigh perforator free flap is a useful method which can prevent the amputation of foot and ankle.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to present the clinical analysis of the results of lateral arm free flap for small sized and infected diabetic foot ulcer around toes. From May 2006 to December 2007, Seven patients were included in our study. Average age was 52.8 years, six were males and one was female. All had infected diabetic foot ulcer and had exposures of bone or tendon structures. Ulcers were located around great toe in four patients, 4th toe in one and 5th toe in two. Three patients had osteomyelitis of metatarsal or phalanx. After appropriate control of infection by serial wound debridement and intravenous antibiotics, lateral arm flap was applied to cover remained soft tissue defects. Posterior radial collateral artery of lateral arm flap was reanastomosed to dorsalis pedis artery of recipient foot by end to side technique in all cases in order to preserve already compromised artery of diabetic foot. All flaps were designed over lateral epicondyle to get longer pedicle and averaged pedicle length was 8 cm. Two cases were used as a sensate flap to achieve protective sensation of foot. All flaps survived and provided satisfactory coverage of soft tissue defects on diabetc foot ulcers. All patients could achieve full weight-bearing ambulation. No patients has had recurrence of infection, ulceration and further toe amputations. There were three complications, a delayed wound healing of flap with surrounding tissue, a partial peripheral loss of flap and a numbness of forearm below donor site. All patients were satisfied with their clinical results, especially preserving their toes and could return to the previous activity levels. Lateral arm free flap could be recommend for infected diabetic foot ulcers around toes, to preserve toes, coverage of soft tissue defect and control of infection with low donor site morbidity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.80-85
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report on the treatment of wound dressing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers in the dermatology clinic of Korean medicine. Methods : First, sufficient marginal resection of the ulcer and necrotic tissue on the foot of a patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy was performed. Inflammation was treated with Anti-inflammatory pharmacopuncture solution, and dressings were applied for one month using Cornu Cervi Parvum pharmacopuncture solution, and Haeboo ointment for granulation tissue formation and skin regeneration. Results : After 10 days of the treatment, the formation of new granulation tissue was observed in the necrotic tissue area, and the extent of the lesion decreased sharply from the 14th day. On the 40th day, epithelialization progressed so that the treatment was terminated, and complete keratinization of the site was observed at follow-up 3 weeks after the end of the treatment. Conclusions : In the treatment of wound dressings in diabetic foot ulcer patients, marginal resection treatment with the application of pharmacopuncture solution and herbal ointment showed good effect.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.81-91
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate foot ulcer risk factors, foot care knowledge, and foot care practice in patients with type 2 diabetes. Method: One hundred fifty type 2 diabetic patients were in and out-patients in a large urban hospital. The data were collected using a self-report questionnaire, chart review and foot examination. The questionnaires were developed by the researchers through the experts consultation and literature review. High risk for foot ulcer was evaluated by peripheral neuropathy(PN), peripheral vascular disease(PVD), and prior foot ulcer. Foot risk scores(FRS) means numbers of present risk factors. Results: 31.3% of subjects show 1 FRS, and 13.3% showed 2 FRS. Mean foot care frequency was 3.5 times per week. There were significant differences in foot care knowledge according to DM education (t=2.96, p=.004) and foot care education (t=3.65, p=.001). There were significant differences in the foot care practice activities according to duration of DM (t=3.48, p=.010) and educational levels. Conclusion: There were high proportion of foot ulcer risk among the patients. It is necessary to screen high risk foot ulcer patients and provide practical education for foot care practice of diabetic patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2013

Background For patients with neuropathy, vasculopathy, and impairment of wound healing, treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer poses many challenges. A large number of dermal analogues have been invented in an effort to overcome these challenges. Matriderm, a dermal analogue, is made from bovine collagen and elastin. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Matriderm for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, in comparison with skin grafting. Methods Sixty patients with diabetic foot ulcer were included in this prospective study. The average age of the patients, who had type II diabetes mellitus, was 58 years old. The patients were allocated to an experimental or control group with their consents. The patients were selected with their consent for inclusion in an experimental group and a control group. Patients in the experimental group received a Matriderm appliance and a split-thickness skin graft, while those in the control group received only a split-thickness skin graft. Results A shorter hospitalization period (7.52 weeks) was observed in the experimental group than in the control group (9.22 weeks), and a shorter period of time (8.61 weeks) was required for complete healing, compared with the control group (12.94 weeks), with statistical significance (P<0.05). A higher elasticity ratio of the affected side to the non-affected side was observed in the experimental group, compared with the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions Matriderm enables effective healing and improves elasticity in treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.66-94
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• 2022

Objectives : Diabetic Foot Ulcer(DFU) is one of the common complications of diabetes. DFU is difficult to treat compared to other chronic wounds and clinically effective treatments are limited. The purpose of this study is to review the of external ointment treatment for DFU. Methods : 8 databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CNKI, NDSL, RISS, KISS, OASIS including English, Korean and Chinese were searched by structured search strategies that consist of terms as 'diabetic foot', 'diabetic foot ulcer(DFU)' and 'randomized' from January 2001 to January 2021. All randomized controlled trials(RCTs) involving treatment group as external ointment or in combination with conventional treatment were included. Results: A total of 20 RCTs was identified and analyzed. In treatment group, ointment was applied based on conventional treatment. A total of 16 different ointments were used, and the frequency of use was highest in the order of Heat-clearing drug, Blood-activating and stasis-dispelling drug, Tonifying and Replenishing drug and Orifice-opening drug. The most used herbs were in the order of Coptis chinensis Franch., Phellodendron chinense Schneid., Borneolum syntheticum., Angelica sinensis(Oliv.) Diels. In treatment group, a clinically effective effect was obtained compared to the contrast group. Conclusions : The result of this study suggest that external ointment treatment based on conventional treatment can be applied to DFU.