The etiopathogenesis of the diabetic foot: An unrelenting epidemic

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that is associated with hyperglycemia affecting various organ systems of the body. One of the most dreaded complications of this disease is the diabetic foot. The diabetic foot is the end result of multiple causal pathways, which include peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease. The problem is compounded by the increased incidence of infection. This article deals with the various pathogenic pathways associated with the development of the diabetic foot. © The Author(s) 2010.