Originally published June 21 2005
Morbidly obese individuals at much higher risk for diabetes, foot ulcers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Newswise has published an article discussing a Loyola University Medical Center study, which states that of 133 patients being treated for a diabetes-associated foot infection, 56 percent were defined as morbidly obese by a Body Mass Index (BMI) check, suggesting a link between the two conditions.
A study published in the April edition of Foot and Ankle International (FAI) shows morbidly obese patients are much more likely to develop diabetic foot ulcers than non-obese patients.
Dr. Pinzur documented the results of 133 patents that were admitted to the Loyal University Hospital for treatment of a diabetes-associated foot infection over a 66-month period.
He was able to calculate BMI for 82 patients and he found that 56% of them were morbidly obese, defined by a BMI of more than 30 kg m2 according to the standards established by the National Institute of Health.
Morbid obesity increase the risk of cardiac-related disease, makes offloading of diabetic foot ulcers during treatment more difficult, and hampers rehabilitation after lower extremity amputation.
Currently sixteen million individuals in the United States have diabetes, and 15% will develop a foot ulcer during the course of their lifetime.
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) look like red sores and can be seen during visual examination of the feet.
The abnormally high levels of blood sugar in diabetic patients damage blood vessels, causing them to thicken and leak.
Over time, the vessels are less able to supply the body, especially the skin, with the blood it needs to remain healthy.
These ulcers are slow to heal and often become deep and infected.
Unfortunately, ulcers can become so deep and infected that the foot needs to be surgically amputated.
"The study simply supports the notion that diabetics should strive to loose weight, in addition to maintaining good sugar and lipid control," said Dr. Pinzur.
Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors with extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system that includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.
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