A new study released by Thomson Reuters, the internationally recognized research and information firm, demonstrates the impact that podiatrists have on the medical system. The study, which was sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), concludes that podiatrists help to prevent and/or delay amputations and hospital visits in diabetic patients.
The study analyzed de-identified medical records of nearly 65,000 patients with diabetes. The results of the study broke down the patients into two major groups – those making health insurance claims with Medicare and those making claims with non-Medicare providers. This loosely breaks down the population of the study into over 65 years old and patients under 65 years old, respectively.
The data shows that Medicare-eligible patients with a foot ulcer had a 18% lower risk of amputation, a 23% lower risk of major amputation (constituting as a below-knee amputation or higher), and 9% lower risk of hospitalization when they had at least one visit to a podiatrist prior to the development of the ulcer.
In the group that was ineligible for Medicare, the reductions were a 15% lower risk of amputation and a 17% lower risk for major amputations when having at least one podiatrist visit prior to development of an ulcer.
Non-traumatic amputations, the vast majority of which are related to diabetic foot infections, make up an enormous proportion of all amputations performed. The percentages reported in this study represent thousands of saved limbs, and billions of dollars saved in healthcare expenses. At a time when healthcare expenditures are being looked at under a microscope by the entire public, a study like this may prove to be extremely useful in making major healthcare decisions.
Podiatrists play an important role in the health and well being of diabetic patients. The diabetic patient is at an increased risk for foot ulcer and infection due to loss of sensation from peripheral neuropathy as well as a weakened immune system. The podiatrist plays the role of first-line defense in the team-approach to treating diabetic patients. Routine inspection, patient education, and the prevention of such ulcerations are the keystone elements to this care.
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