Tech & innovation, shaping foot care of the future : the DRIFT project

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects 8.5% of the global population, while in Malta, approximately 37,800 individuals (11.2% of the Maltese population) are affected by the condition. Individuals living with diabetes are at risk of developing foot complications, such as foot ulceration, which can lead to amputations followed by permanent disability and reduction in quality of life and independence. This is set to increase in the coming years, because of an aging population, sedentary lifestyle, and an altered dietary pattern. In Malta alone, diabetes leads to more than 400 lower limb amputations every year, with more than half of these amputees losing their lives within 5 years of the intervention. However, through research we know that 85% of these amputations can be prevented with proper screening, prevention programmes and timely management of the disease. [excerpt]