Recent Advances in Approach to Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers develop as a complication of diabetes mellitus and represent a disease of significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Healthcare professionals can formulate the management plan for each patient's specific needs and address any underlying risk factors. It requires thorough debridement, wound dressings, offloading, vascular assessment, infection control, glycaemic control, and a multidisciplinary approach for effective management. Along with this, newer agents such as nanomolecules and nano-drug delivery systems are also emerging. It mainly includes topical growth factors, angiogenesis promoters, tissue or cell-based therapies, and advanced wound dressings. Nanodrug delivery systems have shown promise in various medical applications, including the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The use of nanotechnology in drug delivery aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce side effects, and improve the overall management of chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers. Research in this field is ongoing, and various nanomaterials, including liposomes, nanoparticles, and nanofibers, are being investigated for their potential in diabetic foot ulcer management. A multidisciplinary approach is frequently necessary for the efficient care of diabetic foot ulcer prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. It is important to stress that a number of parameters, such as the severity of ulcer, the existence of an infection, the vascular state, and the unique characteristics of each patient, influence the choice of treatment. New drugs may emerge, and existing treatments may be refined as research progresses. A comprehensive approach combined with early intervention can greatly improve the prognosis of diabetic foot ulcer patients. The present overview article addressed the current developments in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.