Integral assistence progam for diabetic foot in Brazil

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a global disease that can cause devastating problems in the feet, including neuropathies leading to loss of protective sensation predisposing to ulcerations and amputations. The pathophysiology of diabetic foot ulcers is better understood and treated by a multidisciplinary approach. This approach involves a multidisciplinary team management, patient and family education about the disease and its scenarios, self-care teachings of the feet, wound care, feet protection, surgery and rehabilitation in the diabetic foot. With this type of approach we can improve the quality of life of the patients, reduce patient morbidity-mortality, decrease economic and social costs involved in the issue, optimizing functional limb salvage.