Global expert dialogue on diabetic foot ulcer care: driving urgency, innovation and collaboration

What is it about?

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) have devastating patient and health economic implications, with high infection rates due to unsatisfactory outcomes from current treatment options. A global roundtable of eight DFU experts was held in London in December 2024 to explore pathways for better DFU treatment. This meeting report highlights several key calls to action raised by the panel. Firstly, moving the mindset from passive care of DFUs to proactive treatment, while highlighting new patient-centred metrics. Secondly, early and targeted interventions to reduce infection risk. Thirdly, unification of DFU guidelines for improved practicality. Fourthly, relentless focus on education of patients and healthcare professionals. Finally, global collaboration on key matters, such as clinical research and refinement of guidelines and definitions. A new multimodal, nitric oxide-generating dressing was discussed as a potential option for improving local infection and healing outcomes. The panel is committed to publishing outputs of further roundtables with the goal of improving outcomes for DFU patients.

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