Infrared Thermography and Vascular Disorders in Diabetic Feet.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and related foot complications constitute a growing healthcare burden. Diabetes mellitus is associated with lower-limb amputation, but diabetic foot assessment is challenging. Here, we evaluated a novel noninvasive diagnostic method-infrared thermography (IRT) -assessing its diagnostic potential compared to conventional noninvasive measurements.This study included patients with DM ( = 118) and healthy controls ( = 93). All participants underwent ankle brachial index and toe pressure (TP) measurements, and IRT using a standardized protocol with temperature measurement at five foot areas.Compared to controls, patients with DM generally had warmer feet and exhibited a significantly greater temperature difference between feet ( < .001). Mean temperatures were highest in patients with DM with neuroischemia, followed by neuropathy. Patients with DM with angiopathy showed the lowest mean temperature-similar to controls and noncomplicated diabetics. Mean temperatures at all measurement sites were significantly higher with abnormal TP (<50 mmHg) than normal TP (≥50 mmHg) ( < .001). Infrared thermography revealed differences between angiosome areas, subclinical infections, and plantar high-pressure areas.Infrared thermography revealed local temperature differences in high-risk diabetic feet. Normal skin surface temperature varies between individuals, but in combination with other tools, IRT might be useful in clinical screening.14212016.