NIH

Scientists identify diagnostic aid to determine risk of diabetic foot ulcer recurrence

June 6, 2025

An NIH-funded study identified trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) as a promising diagnostic aid to assess the risk of diabetic foot ulcer recurrence. By measuring TEWL, a marker of skin barrier function, researchers found that wounds appearing visually healed may still be compromised beneath the surface. The study suggests that incorporating TEWL assessments into standard wound care could help clinicians determine whether a wound is truly healed and identify patients at higher risk for recurrence. This approach, already used in burn care, could significantly enhance diabetic wound management by ensuring full restoration of the skin’s protective barrier.

Conducted by the NIDDK Diabetic Foot Consortium, the study evaluated over 400 individuals with previously healed diabetic foot ulcers. Results showed that 35% of participants with high TEWL experienced ulcer recurrence within 16 weeks, compared with only 17% with low TEWL. High TEWL was associated with a 2.7-fold increased risk of recurrence. Given that diabetic foot ulcers are a leading cause of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations and are often unnoticed due to neuropathy, this diagnostic tool could play a critical role in preventing complications and improving patient outcomes. The findings will be published in Diabetes Care.

Source:

(2025, May 30). NIH. Scientists identify diagnostic aid to determine risk of diabetic foot ulcer recurrence. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/scientists-identify-diagnostic-aid-determine-risk-diabetic-foot-ulcer-recurrence