diabetic neuropathy








 The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society’s (WOCN) guideline for “patients with lower-extremity neuropathic disease (LEND) with or at risk for wounds” states their goal to “support clinical practice by providing consistent, research-based information with the goal of improved cost-effective patient outcomes as well as to stimulate increased wound research” (WOCN, 2012).The intent of this paper is to examine this guideline and evaluate the parameters of its content.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from the body 's inability to produce and/or use insulin. According to the National Institute for Clinical and Health Care Excellence [NICE], Between 20-40% of people with diabetes have neuropathy and 50% of diabetics may develop a foot ulcer (Fitzpatrick, 2013). Neuropathy is a microvasuclar vascular disease which causes a loss of sensation, although painful sensations are still reported. (Holt, 2013). Diabetic neuropathy is the leading cause of non healing ulcers in diabetics with amputations (Masson, 2011), and linked to 62% of non-healing ulcers (as cites in Hampton 2006 p.S22).
Approximately half of all diabetic patients are affected by neuropathy (as cited in Fitzpatrick 2013, p. 228). Evidence suggests that the “control of associated risk factors can delay or prevent such complications” and should be made priority (Hill, 2009). Ulceration develops with high pressures, such as tight fitting shoes or other foot wounds. Through the effects on peripheral nerves and arteries, diabetes can lead to foot ulcers and infection (Hill, 2009).
Managing an infection is somewhat challenging for diabetics as blood glucose levels are elevated during times of stress, the ill diabetic is a rich environment to a host of bacteria. “When the blood glucose level remains high for an extended period of time it increases the potential for protein destruction to occur and the continued







 The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society’s (WOCN) guideline for “patients with lower-extremity neuropathic disease (LEND) with or at risk for wounds” states their goal to “support clinical practice by providing consistent, research-based information with the goal of improved cost-effective patient outcomes as well as to stimulate increased wound research” (WOCN, 2012).The intent of this paper is to examine this guideline and evaluate the parameters of its content.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from the body 's inability to produce and/or use insulin. According to the National Institute for Clinical and Health Care Excellence [NICE], Between 20-40% of people with diabetes have neuropathy and 50% of diabetics may develop a foot ulcer (Fitzpatrick, 2013). Neuropathy is a microvasuclar vascular disease which causes a loss of sensation, although painful sensations are still reported. (Holt, 2013). Diabetic neuropathy is the leading cause of non healing ulcers in diabetics with amputations (Masson, 2011), and linked to 62% of non-healing ulcers (as cites in Hampton 2006 p.S22).
Approximately half of all diabetic patients are affected by neuropathy (as cited in Fitzpatrick 2013, p. 228). Evidence suggests that the “control of associated risk factors can delay or prevent such complications” and should be made priority (Hill, 2009). Ulceration develops with high pressures, such as tight fitting shoes or other foot wounds. Through the effects on peripheral nerves and arteries, diabetes can lead to foot ulcers and infection (Hill, 2009).
Managing an infection is somewhat challenging for diabetics as blood glucose levels are elevated during times of stress, the ill diabetic is a rich environment to a host of bacteria. “When the blood glucose level remains high for an extended period of time it increases the potential for protein destruction to occur and the continued
References: Fitzpatrick, A. (2013). Challenges of living with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Nurse Prescribing, 11(5), 228-231. Hampton, S. (2006). Caring for the diabetic patient with a foot ulcer. British Journal Of Nursing, 15(15), S22. Hill, J. (2009). Reducing the risk of complications associated with diabetes. Nursing Standard, 23(25), 49-55. Holt, P. (2013). Assessment and management of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Nursing Standard, 27(27), 49-55. Masson, E. (2011). Identifying neuropathic presentations of diabetes. Practice Nursing, 22(12), 638-641.