Proyecto español sobre el pie diabético
Proyecto español sobre el pie diabético
The Spanish Diabetic Foot Project (2024) is an initiative by the EWMA Diabetic Foot Committee aimed at developing a unified, coordinated model of diabetic foot care across Spain. By connecting expert clinicians, healthcare facilities, and regional policymakers, the project seeks to address the needs of Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS) patients through consensus-based practical approaches and interregional collaboration. This project not only supports diabetic foot care within Spain but also contributes to innovation in care standards across Europe.
A study by Rubio et al. [1] highlights a significant need for this initiative, indicating that no more than one in four Spanish DFS patients receives care from a multidisciplinary team, as recommended by the International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot (ICDF).
The Spanish Diabetic Foot Project Members
José Luis Lázaro Martínez (Chair)
Lorenzo R Álavrez Rodríguez
Almudena Cecilia-Matilla
Concepción Bernardos Alcalde
Ignacio Blanes Mompó
Silvia Blasco Gil
Luis de Benito
Héctor González de La Torre
Esther Doiz
Ignacio Hernández la Hoz
Juan Francisco Jiménez García
Jose Ramón March
Esther Martínez Aguilar
Didac Mauricio
Francesc Monés Serrano
Albert Pérez Fernández
Ferrán Pla
Sandra Redondo
Elena Redondo Marti
Gabriel Rivera San Martin
Jordi Samaniego
Juan Pedro Sánchez Ríos
Diana Tundidor Rengel
Melina Vega
Jorge Vilarino
Please note that this list is being updated regularly, and we expect additional members to confirm their participation soon.
El pie diabético
El término "pie diabético" hace referencia a una serie de complicaciones que pueden afectar a las personas con diabetes, debidas principalmente a la mala circulación sanguínea y a las lesiones nerviosas causadas por niveles elevados y prolongados de azúcar en sangre. La complicación más común es la úlcera del pie diabético (UPD), una herida o llaga abierta que suele aparecer en la planta del pie. Estas úlceras pueden desarrollarse sin dolor, lo que las hace especialmente peligrosas, ya que los pacientes pueden no notarlas hasta que empeoran. Las DFU no tratadas suelen provocar infecciones y, en casos graves, requieren amputación. La prevención, la detección precoz y la intervención a tiempo son cruciales para tratar las complicaciones del pie diabético y mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes.
‘EVERY 20 SECONDS, SOMEWHERE AROUND THE WORLD SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LEG BECAUSE OF DIABETES.’ [2]
Las complicaciones del pie diabético son un importante problema sanitario en todo el mundo. Hasta un tercio de los diabéticos pueden desarrollar una úlcera en el pie a lo largo de su vida, con un alto riesgo de recidiva una vez curada. Las úlceras del pie diabético son también una de las principales causas de amputaciones no traumáticas de las extremidades inferiores. Además del coste personal, las complicaciones del pie diabético suponen una carga considerable para los sistemas sanitarios debido a los elevados costes asociados al cuidado de las heridas, el tratamiento de las infecciones y las intervenciones quirúrgicas.
The Diabetic Foot in Spain
In Spain, the management of diabetic foot complications presents a significant opportunity for improvement. As stated, only one in four patients with diabetic foot complications is treated by a multidisciplinary team—a model of care endorsed by the International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot (ICDF) [1). This gap in care highlights the urgent need for coordinated strategies that connect primary care providers with specialized services. Multidisciplinary teams, including endocrinologists, podiatrists, wound care specialists, and vascular surgeons, are crucial for holistic management. They can detect issues early, administer appropriate treatment, and educate patients, reducing the likelihood of complications and the healthcare burden associated with advanced diabetic foot disease [2,3].
The current approach to diabetic foot care in Spain would benefit from a more unified structure to ensure patients have seamless access to comprehensive care. While individual healthcare providers deliver valuable support, a lack of consistent, connected pathways can create challenges in delivering timely, specialized treatment and follow-up care. Developing more structured, collaborative systems could bridge these gaps, providing patients with the early intervention, coordinated treatment, and continuous support they need to achieve better outcomes and avoid preventable complications [4,5].
The Objectives
The Spanish Diabetic Foot Project is dedicated to building a sustainable, evidence-based framework to improve diabetic foot care across Spain. Through structured initiatives in data collection, standard-setting, and collaborative networks, this project seeks to elevate care quality and accessibility for patients with Diabetic Foot Syndrome nationwide.
Data Collection Questionnaire: Understanding the Current Landscape of DFS in Spain
To inform and support the Spanish Project, a national questionnaire will be conducted to provide a comprehensive view of diabetic foot care practices across Spain. The survey will gather valuable insights in four key areas:
- Current DFS Care Practices: Identifying providers of DFS care and the range of treatments available.
- Challenges and Gaps: Highlighting common obstacles that healthcare providers encounter in diabetic foot care.
- Regional Differences: Exploring variations in care approaches and resources across Spain’s regions.
- Future Needs: Understanding the resources, training, or tools that could enhance DFS care.
National Diabetic Foot Registry
This project also aims to explore the creation of a National Diabetic Foot Registry in Spain to document and monitor the current state of DFS care within the healthcare system. This registry would serve as an essential tool for tracking trends, identifying gaps, and promoting continuous improvement.
Establishing Basic Care Standards
Another key objective is to set a national minimum standard of care for DFS patients to ensure that consistent, high-quality treatment is accessible throughout Spain. By defining these core standards, the project seeks to create a unified approach to diabetic foot care across all regions.
Network of Diabetic Foot Care Centers
To foster collaboration and innovation in diabetic foot care, the project aims to establish a network of specialized Diabetic Foot Care Centers across Spain. These centers will support clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and the exchange of expertise, enabling a collaborative approach both within Spain and with international partners.
Primera reunión
Reunión de lanzamiento del Proyecto Español de Pie Diabético - Madrid, 12 de diciembre de 2024
El Comité de Pie Diabético lanzó el Proyecto Español, reuniendo a líderes regionales, clínicos y especialistas en el cuidado del pie diabético de toda España. Esta reunión inaugural invitó a los directores de las clínicas españolas y a los principales líderes de opinión en el tratamiento del pie diabético a colaborar en la creación de un enfoque unificado y eficaz para el cuidado del pie diabético en España.
El objetivo de esta reunión era establecer un marco similar al modelo del Valle del Pie Diabético en la Toscana, que mejora las vías de atención y los resultados para las personas con riesgo de complicaciones del pie diabético. Los asistentes debatieron estrategias para mejorar la atención a los pacientes, promover la intervención precoz y crear una sólida red de expertos en el tratamiento del pie diabético en toda España.
Conferencia de la EWMA GNEAUPP en Barcelona
The Spanish Diabetic Foot Project will convene during the upcoming EWMA GNEAUPP Barcelona Conference on 26-28 March 2025.
Partidarios de la industria
The Spanish Project is kindly supported by the following companies:
Sources
Rubio JA, Aragón-Sánchez J, Jiménez S, Lozano F, Hernández S, Gámez F, et al. Diabetic foot care in Spain: survey of current practice. Diabet Med. 2014;31(6):656-60.
- Armstrong DG, Boulton AJM, Bus SA. Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Their Recurrence. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(24):2367-2375.
Hicks CW, Selvarajah S, Mathioudakis N, Sherman RL, Hines KF, Black JH III, et al. Burden of diabetic foot ulcers on quality of life for patients in the Medicare population. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(12):2113-5.
Van Netten JJ, Lazzarini PA, Armstrong DG, Bus SA, Fitridge R, Game F, et al. Diabetic foot disease: The impact of healthcare, social and cultural factors on outcomes in high-income countries. Diabet Med. 2018;35(8):922-30.
Zhu Z, Tang Z, Zhang Z, Zhang Y. Integrated care pathways for diabetic foot: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2014;13(1):20-6.
