The Diabetic Foot

Key diabetes statistics in the United States:

Total Prevalence: Approximately 40.1 million people (diagnosed or undiagnosed) have diabetes, about 12% of the US population.

• Diagnosed vs. Undiagnosed: Of the 40.1 million, roughly 29.1 million are diagnosed, while 11 million are undiagnosed.
• Prediabetes: An estimated 115.2 million American adults aged 18 and older have prediabetes.
• New Cases: Every year an estimated 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes.

Economic and Health impact:

Cost: The total estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2022 was over $412.9 billion.

• Mortality: Diabetes is a leading cause of death in the US.
• Complications: Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease, kidney damage, vision loss, and leg or foot amputations.

Diabetes affects all of the major organ systems in the lower extremity. The nervous system, circulatory system, musculoskeletal system, and even the skin. What we see in the foot is a window into what is happening to the body systemically. A diabetic foot wound is not a simple or isolated condition - it reflects advanced disease state, and can be a critical entry point, a big red flag, for more intensive treatment of the underlying condition.

The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.