Multidisciplinary management of diabetic foot infection associated with improved 8-year overall survival

Diabetic foot syndrome is a global challenge best managed through multidisciplinary collaboration. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a systematic multidisciplinary team (MDT) on the overall survival and major amputation-free survival of hospitalized patients with diabetic foot infection (DFI). This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Tampere University Hospital. Cohorts of hospitalized patients with DFI before and after the initiation of multidisciplinary wound ward were compared after an 8-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly higher overall survival in the post-MDT cohort (37.8 % vs 22.6 %, p < 0.05) in 8-year follow-up. Similarly, major amputation-free survival was superior in this cohort (31.8 % vs 16.9 %, p < 0.05). Additionally, early major amputation was associated with inferior overall survival (35.1 % vs 12.0 %, p < 0.05). In a multivariable Cox-regression analysis cohort (hazard ratio HR 1.38, 95 % confidence interval CI95% 1.01–1.87), early amputation (HR 1.64, CI95% 1.14–2.34) and diagnosed peripheral artery disease (HR 2.23, CI95% 1.61–3.09), congestive heart failure (HR 2.13, CI95% 1.47–3.08), or moderate kidney disease (HR 1.95, CI95% 1.34–2.84) were identified as significant risk factors affecting overall survival. After systematic MDT approach we found improved long-term overall and major amputation-free survival. Multidisciplinary approach is therefore highly recommended for managing patients hospitalized for DFI.