Research priorities in diabetic foot disease

Collings, R.; Shalhoub, J.; Atkin, L.; Game, F.; Hitchman, L.; Long, J.; Gronland, T.; Russell, D.

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic foot disease is a life-changing event for patients and is associated with high burdens to society in terms of cost, mortality and morbidity. The Vascular Society Diabetic Foot Specialist Interest Group (VSDFSIG), in association with the James Lind Alliance (JLA), aimed to identify and develop key research priorities for preventing and managing diabetic foot disease.

Methods: A modified JLA Priority Setting Partnership was undertaken. Two separate processes to identify research priorities were undertaken with healthcare professionals and patients and carers, led by the VSDFSIG. This exercise produced a list of 12 research priorities. The final workshop was attended by patients, carers and healthcare professionals from a variety of backgrounds involved in the care of people with diabetes and foot pathology. The research priorities were graded to produce a final list of ranked priorities. A final sandpit event addressed the priorities to generate research projects or programmes of research.

Results: A total of 481 healthcare professionals and 373 patients and carers submitted over 100 research priorities relating to diabetic foot disease. These related to diabetic foot disease prevention (including prevention of recurrence and amputation), improving foot outcomes (treatment, risk assessment, blood flow, health promotion) and determining factors that affect healing time (delays in referral, foot infection, antibiotics, larval therapy). Four themes were discussed at the sandpit event relating to potential research projects.

Conclusions: The top 12 research priorities in the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease and potential research projects that will inform researchers, clinicians and funders on the direction of future research priorities are presented.

Citation

Collings, R., Shalhoub, J., Atkin, L., Game, F., Hitchman, L., Long, J., Gronland, T., & Russell, D. (2022). Research priorities in diabetic foot disease. Journal of Vascular Societies Great Britain and Ireland, 1(4), 124-129. https://doi.org/10.54522/jvsgbi.2022.031

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 27, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jul 4, 2022
• Publication Date: Jul 4, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jul 19, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 5, 2023
• Publisher: Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 124-129
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.54522/jvsgbi.2022.031
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4032475