Diabetic foot ulcer is an often overlooked complication linked to diabetes. Diabetes affects 425 million people worldwide. It is estimated that during their lifetime, 19 to 34% of diabetic patients develop a foot ulcer.
In 50% of cases, this wound will become infected, which can be life-threatening. The infection can affect the bone and the risk of amputation is then increased. However, after this amputation, the life expectancy of patients does not exceed 5 years in almost 70% of cases.
To avoid these risks, the challenge is to reduce the healing time of these wounds. Raising awareness among caregivers about the seriousness of this diabetic foot ulcer is therefore key.
The URGO Foundation is committed to training healthcare professionals in the Middle East.
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On October 13th and 14th, the URGO Foundation took part in the training course on Diabetic Foot Ulcer organized in Riyadh by the Ministry of Health. It was a great opportunity to lead a workshop on the needs linked to this pathology as well as the latest news relating to its treatment.
More than 50 Key Opinion Leaders from different regions of Saudi Arabia participated in this training: podiatrists, vascular surgeons, nurses in charge of patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers, etc.
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On November 11th, in Jordan, the URGO Foundation organized a Diabetic Foot Ulcer prevention and treatment workshop, accredited by the Jordanian Union of Nurses and Midwives.
This workshop aimed at improving nurses’ awareness of the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
Seven speakers, medical experts in diabetic foot ulcers, spoke in front of almost 50 health professionals from the region. Among them were to be found registered nurses, Podiatrists, DFU specialists, Vascular surgeons & other physicians.
Many topics have been discussed to enable better management of diabetic foot ulcers, with the objectives:
- To be aware on updates among prevention of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes
- To be able to classify diabetes-related foot ulcers
- To recognize diagnosis and treatment of foot infection in persons with diabetic foot ulcers
- To identify updates related to diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease in persons with a foot ulcer and diabetes
- To be updated on Offloading foot ulcers in persons with diabetes
- To understand Interventions to enhance healing of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes.
Participants really found this training enlighting. More than 9 participants out of 10 would recommend it to another health professional, adding that it was “a very satisfying and scientific training and well-organized event”.
Because one less day of wound is one less day of risk, the URGO Foundation will renew these training courses in the Middle East as soon as 2024!