Insertion of the podiatrist and implementation of the diagnostic and therapeutic care path for the diabetic foot in the area of Cesena

Advances in the treatment of diabetic disease have led to an increase in the life expectancy of diabetics. The main problems are related to chronic complications of both microangiopathic and macroangiopathic diabetes; in particular, the diabetic foot is assuming an important role, since it is estimated that 15% of diabetic patients will experience a lower limb ulcer in life. Furthermore, out of 100 diabetics, about 84 had a chronic ulcer aggravated over time as a cause of amputation. This work stems from the need to define a shared path in the AUSL of Cesena that provides for the prevention and treatment of the podiatry aspect of diabetic disease, based on the latest international guidelines. The Podiatrist, in fact, despite being a newly established professional figure, is a health worker who deals not only with diabetes but also with all the other diseases affecting the foot. In several Italian diabetological realities it is already in full swing, in Cesena despite being present since 2012, it has never been integrated into the diabetic foot diagnostic and therapeutic care path.