Correlation between Uncontrolled Diabetes and Osteomyelitis
Background
- Osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by an infectious organism.
- Can affect any population or group.
- Rare, but serious condition.
Incidence remained relatively stable among children and young adults but almost tripled among individuals older than sixty years.
this was partly driven by a significant increase in diabetes-related osteomyelitis from 2.3 cases per 100,000 person-years in the period from 1969 to 1979
to 7.6 cases per 100,000 person-years in the period from 2000 to 2009 (p < 0.001)
- Furthermore, in the same study, diabetes was found to be associated with osteomyelitis in 27% of the patients, followed by 19% from trauma-related infections (open fracture with exposed bone coming into contact with bacteria).
The Correlation With Diabetes
- If high glucose levels persist over a period of years, blood vessels can become damaged. This can lead to plaque forming in the blood vessels, making it difficult to deliver a sufficient amount of blood to neighboring cells.
- Often, poor circulation occurs in the lower extremities, leading to…
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) – A circulatory condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs.
- High incidence of >3 million cases in the US per year
- For example, trauma to foot > foot ulcer > becomes infected > infection spreads to bone (osteomyelitis)
Correlation with Amputations
- In the study, 68% of patients with diabetes-related foot osteomyelitis had an amputation.
- This proportion is similar to those in other studies and remained relatively stable over the forty-one-year time period of our study, indicating that amputation is still relatively common once osteomyelitis develops.
Occupational Therapy Management and Prevention
- Prevent Hyperglycemia
- Feet care and awareness
- Check feet for ulcers or injuries
- Wash regularly
- Apply lotion (but not between the toes) to help prevent dryness
- First-Aid: wash and treat cuts to prevent infection
- General Health and Wellness promotion
- Smoking/drug cessation
- Alcohol
- Weight management through diet and exercise
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4642868/
