Diabetic sores can be checked at home

Diabetic patients who are at a high risk of developing leg and foot ulcers can avoid them by monitoring the foot skin temperatures at home.Researchers from the Texas A & M Health Science Center examined the effectiveness of at-home infrared temperature monitoring in 85 patients who were at risk. Forty-one participants were assigned to a standard therapy group and were given therapeutic footwear, diabetic foot education, and regular foot evaluations by a podiatrist.Forty-four subjects were placed in an enhanced therapy group in which they received standard care plus a handheld infrared skin thermometer to measure temperatures on the sole of the affected foot in the morning and evening. If elevated temperatures were detected i.e. greater than 4 degrees F compared to the other foot, the patients were considered at risk of ulceration and were instructed to reduce their activity and contact the study nurse. The participants were followed for 6 months, during which nine foot complications were seen in the standard therapy group, compared with one complication in the enhanced therapy group.Infections developed in two patients in the standard therapy group and local foot amputations were performed. In contrast, no infections or amputations occurred in the enhanced therapy group. The results might have come from enhanced vigilance among subjects given the thermometer. Further studies are required on this approach.

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