Infrared Thermography Shows That a Temperature Difference of 2.2°C (4°F) or Greater Between Corresponding Sites of Neuropathic Feet Does Not Always Lead to a Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Authors' conclusion
Despite the high rate of hotspots on monthly thermograms, all feet remained intact. This study underscores a significant between-visit inconsistency in thermal images of neuropathic feet which should be considered when planning DFU-prevention programs for self-testing and behavior modification.
Study context
- Population
- Participants with neuropathic diabetic feet at risk of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) who remained ulcer-free during 12-month follow-upulcer-free
- Participants
- 15 participants
- Primary endpoint
- Long-term consistency of foot thermograms (∆T of corresponding ROIs of both feet)
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological details12-month follow-up, monthly thermograms
- 12-month follow-up
- Monthly thermograms
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Plantar ROIs rated abnormal (absolute ∆T ≥ 2.2°C) · 12-month study period
- Plantar regions of interests (ROIs) rated abnormal, of 2026 plantar data points
- 20.3%
- Between-visit variability in proportion of plantar ROIs with ∆T ≥ 2.2°C (range 7.6%-30.8%, chi-square test)
- P = .001
Further findings
Proportion of patients with hotspots, abnormal plantar foot temperature and abnormal whole foot temperature
- Varied between visits and showed no pattern
- P > 0.05 for all comparisons
- Variability not related to season of assessment
Original publication
Infrared Thermography Shows That a Temperature Difference of 2.2°C (4°F) or Greater Between Corresponding Sites of Neuropathic Feet Does Not Always Lead to a Diabetic Foot Ulcer. J Diabetes Sci Technol. Published 6 May 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →