Up to 34% of diabetic patients may suffer from Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) in their lifetime. These ulcerative wounds, if not treated promptly, can lead to a series of severe complications, including infections, gangrene, amputation, and even death. These complications not only reduce the patient's physical function and quality of life but also increase the burden on the healthcare system.

An infection refers to the situation where a wound from a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in diabetic foot patients is invaded and proliferated by bacteria or fungi. It is the most common cause of hospitalization among diabetes-related complications and the primary cause of lower limb amputation. Approximately half of the ulcer wounds will become infected, about 20% of which will require hospitalization for treatment. Therefore, it is particularly important to detect early and prevent the worsening of the infection.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) may further lead to gangrene, which is the ischemic necrosis of tissue resulting from inadequate blood supply, infection, or injury. In addition, gangrene can be divided into two forms—dry gangrene and wet gangrene, each with distinctly different characteristics.

Lower limb amputation is a relatively severe consequence among complications of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), with approximately 20% of patients with DFU ultimately facing the need for amputation.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) profoundly affect the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients living with the wound1. Therefore, in addition to considering the pathological condition of the wound, we should also consider the challenges patients face in the following areas...