Matthew Carabott1, Cynthia Formosa1, Anabelle Mizzi1, Nikolaos Papanas2, Alfred Gatt1. 1. Podiatry Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta. 2. Diabetes Centre-Diabetic Foot Clinic, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Abstract
AIM: To compare temperature changes following a challenge of limb elevation, in 3 forefoot angiosomes between type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without peripheral arterial disease (PAD). METHODS: Participans were categorized in a no PAD, mild PAD or severe PAD group. All underwent thermal imaging, then successive thermal images were taken at 1 min intervals after the lower limbs were elevated for 5 min. Thereafter, the lower limbs were lowered to the original position and imaged after 1 min. Mean temperatures of the hallux, medial and lateral forefoot were analysed by the angiosome concept. RESULTS: Forty-two limbs were analysed. Mean resting temperatures of all angiosomes of participants with PAD were higher than those with no peripheral arterial disease. A significant difference in the mean initial temperature between the groups was found in the medial and lateral forefoot angiosomes (p=0.048, p=0.049 respectively), whilst at the hallux these temperatures were not significant (p=0.165). After limb elevation, the only significant difference was seen in the lateral foot area at 1 min (p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that patients with PAD exhibit significantly higher forefoot temperatures, according to the angiosome concept. The challenge by foot elevation did not affect the thermal pattern significantly. Thieme. All rights reserved.
AIM: To compare temperature changes following a challenge of limb elevation, in 3 forefoot angiosomes between type 2 diabetes mellituspatients with and without peripheral arterial disease (PAD). METHODS: Participans were categorized in a no PAD, mild PAD or severe PAD group. All underwent thermal imaging, then successive thermal images were taken at 1 min intervals after the lower limbs were elevated for 5 min. Thereafter, the lower limbs were lowered to the original position and imaged after 1 min. Mean temperatures of the hallux, medial and lateral forefoot were analysed by the angiosome concept. RESULTS: Forty-two limbs were analysed. Mean resting temperatures of all angiosomes of participants with PAD were higher than those with no peripheral arterial disease. A significant difference in the mean initial temperature between the groups was found in the medial and lateral forefoot angiosomes (p=0.048, p=0.049 respectively), whilst at the hallux these temperatures were not significant (p=0.165). After limb elevation, the only significant difference was seen in the lateral foot area at 1 min (p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that patients with PAD exhibit significantly higher forefoot temperatures, according to the angiosome concept. The challenge by foot elevation did not affect the thermal pattern significantly. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Authors: Jonathan Golledge; Malindu Fernando; Peter Lazzarini; Bijan Najafi; David G Armstrong Journal: Sensors (Basel) Date: 2020-08-13 Impact factor: 3.576