Statistics | Peripheral Neuropathy | Classifying | Treatment | Complications | Non-Healing Ulcers | Wound Care Team | Shoe Wear | Skin & Foot Care | Cases

Demographics of the Aging

The geriatric imperative demands that the entire world community begin to develop strategies to deal with the rapidly increasing geriatric population, and the problems which will develop as a result. Medical, social and financial problems will be fast upon us and the world is just beginning to realize the magnitude of these problems.

• 1995-30 million people over the age of 65 in the U.S. (12.0%)
  
• 2030-60 million people over the age of 65 in the U.S. (21.0%)
  
• In the U.S. the geriatric population will double by the year 2030
  
• 5,000 people reach age 65 each day
  
• By the year 2030 there will be as many people over the age of 85 as there are currently over the age of 65
  

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

• Increases with age of patient
  
• Increases with duration of Diabetes
  
• Increases with severity of Hyperglycemia
  
• After 20 years 42% of Diabetics will have Neuropathy
  
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is associated with an increased risk of foot ulceration.
  
• Three times as many patients are admitted to the hospital for neuropathic foot ulceration than with ischemia.
  

Significance of Diabetic Ulcers

• 14 Million people in the U.S. with Diabetes
  
• 2 Million (15%) may develop foot related ulcers
  
• 12 times more likely to undergo amputation than non-diabetic
  
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is associated with an increased risk of foot ulceration.
  
• Three times as many patients are admitted to the hospital for neuropathic foot ulceration than with ischemia.
  

Amputation Rate in the Diabetic

• Diabetes is the leading cause of lower extremity amputations.
  
• 5-15% of diabetic patients require an amputation at some time in their lives.
  
• In 1990, over 54000 non-tramatic lower extremity amputations occurred among diabetics. (8.3 per 1,000)
  
• 648,570 days of hospital care (28% of total hospital days)
  
• 3 year survival- 50%
  
• Almost 50% of amputations are preventable (Approx. 20,000) with proper intervention.
  
• Diabetics are at 15 times the risk of experiencing limb amputations following initial injury as compared with the nondiabetic population.
  

Cost of Treatment of the Diabetic Foot

• Medical Cost: (1992) $85 billion (Average of $45,000 per patient)
  
• Indirect cost: (1992) $47 billion (Disability, lost work, rehabilitation, loss of future earning power)
  
• Medical efforts must be directed at patient education, prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment of foot infections.
  

Find more in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Study.