'SMART MAT' PREDICTS 97% OF RECURRENT DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS
posted: Jun. 22, 2017.
A novel wireless foot-temperature–monitoring system (Podimetrics) aimed at detecting impending diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) through plantar temperature change is highly predictive of recurrent DFUs, according to new findings from a multicenter, prospective, cohort study in a high-risk population. The temperature-monitoring mat was able to correctly detect 97% of impending non-traumatic DFUs in patients who had had prior ulcers.
Dr. Robert Frykberg and Podiometrics |
"We showed that (by) using this wireless mat and an algorithm that detects temperature rise over several days, it is possible to detect development of an ulcer 5 weeks in advance," reported Robert Frykberg, DPM, podiatrist at Phoenix VA Healthcare System, Arizona, and lead investigator of the study that was published May 2 in Diabetes Care. However, although there was a high rate of detection of ulcers, this was accompanied by a high false-positive rate of 57%, the authors note, adding that the protocol might need to be tweaked to try to reduce this.
Source: Becky McCall, Medscape News [5/10/17]
Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PMP News.
Brought to you by Doctor John A. Hardy, owner of Toront's Foot Clinic, Academy Foot and orthotic Clinics.