Title:Neuro-Psychiatric Alterations in Patients with Diabetic Foot Syndrome
Volume: 18
Issue: 8
Author(s): Emmanuel Navarro-Flores, Pilar Pérez-Ros, Francisco Miguel Martínez-Arnau, Iván Julían-Rochina and Omar Cauli*
Affiliation:
- Frailty and cognitive impairment organized group (FROG), University of Valencia, Valencia,Spain
Keywords:
Cognitive dysfunction, gait disorders, postural balance, depression, daily living activities, infection.
Abstract: Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS) is a common long-term complication of diabetes mellitus.
DFS has recently been associated with adverse effects on brain function which could further impair the
quality of life of these patients, as well as increase the social and economic burden, morbidity, and
premature mortality of the disease. The current knowledge of neuropsychiatric alterations e.g. cognitive
impairment, gait disorder, depression, and quality of life in patients with diabetic foot syndrome is
summarized. The cognitive domains altered in DFS are executive function, memory, and psychomotor
speed. Compared to diabetic patients without DFS, individuals with DFS present gait alterations
caused by changes in several spatio-temporal parameters and lower-limb kinematics. The increased
rates of anxiety and depression among patients with DFS were related to several factors, including female
sex, a smoking habit, age under 50 years, and foot ulceration exceeding 7 months' duration. The
role of infections and the use of preventive antimicrobial treatment need further studies regarding their
effect on comorbid neuropsychiatric disorders. The care of these patients should include the prevention,
detection and treatment of these neuropsychiatric disorders in order to improve their quality of
life.
