Please see a full press release below:
New research could prevent foot amputations among diabetic patients.
Four out of five foot amputations among diabetic patients could be prevented according to scientists at Staffordshire University.
This follows ground-breaking research by the Biomechanics Team at Staffordshire University which has identified the likely cause of foot ulceration among people with type 2 diabetes which in extreme cases can lead to amputation.
Led by Professor of Biomechanics, Nachiappan Chockalingam, the team has discovered a correlation between blood sugar levels and stiffness of the heel pad. Stiffer heel pads limit the tissues' ability to evenly distribute loads which in turn makes them more vulnerable to ulceration.
The findings are part of on-going research funded by the European Union and published recently in the Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications. They are also being presented at the 12th Staffordshire Conference on Clinical Biomechanics which is being held at Staffordshire University’s Stoke campus until Saturday.
Professor Chockalingam said: “Approximately 15% of people with diabetes world-wide will develop foot ulceration and type 2 diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations.
“Current studies indicate that within the UK around 100 people per week have their limbs amputated as a result of diabetes. However, around 80% of these amputations could have been prevented with correct management. Our research at Staffordshire University encompasses all aspects of biomechanical assessment of the diabetic foot, including the development techniques and technologies to support effective clinical management of the diabetic foot syndrome”.
Welcoming the research, Professor Mike Edmonds of Kings College Hospitals, London said “This is an important finding which will lead to further understanding of the mechanical changes in the tissues leading to ulceration, which in-turn will help develop new and patient focussed clinical intervention program”.
The Staffordshire University study was aimed at investigating the correlation between the mechanical properties of the heel-pad of people with type-2 diabetes and the clinical parameters used to monitor their health and also to assess ulceration risk.
Dr Panagiotis Chatzistergos designed and developed a custom made ultrasound-based device to load the foot and study the mechanical behaviour of plantar soft tissues. He said: “Our study is the first study to report such a finding on actual patient data and we are excited about these results. We are conducting further studies to substantiate our findings.”
Staffordshire University’s Dr Roozbeh Naemi added: “The results of this study along with the mathematical models that we are currently developing have the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world”.
Notes to editors:
Development of a new generation of DIABetic footwear using an integrated approach and SMART materials (DiaBSmart). This project led by Staffordshire University is funded by the European Commission through Grant Agreement Number 285985 under Industry Academia partnerships and Pathways (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IAPP). DiaBSmart aims to develop an integrated system of diabetic foot assessment which includes a the development of a new generation of diabetic footwear using smart materials.
Chatzistergos, P.E., Naemi, R., Sundar, L., Ramachandran, A. and Chockalingam, N., (2014) The relationship between the mechanical properties of heel-pad and common clinical measures associated with foot ulcers in patients with diabetes, Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2014.03.011
To arrange interviews with Professor Chockalingam, telephone Staffordshire University Press Office on 01782 294375.