Diabetic Foot Ulcer Resources
This page compiles peer reviewed research and epidemiological data on the burden of diabetic foot ulcers, including published studies on prevalence, clinical outcomes, and cost, alongside statistical resources from national and global health data sources. It is intended as a research reference for clinicians and researchers examining the scope and impact of diabetic foot disease.
Peer-Reviewed Publications on the Impact of DFUs*
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10723802/
A widely cited, comprehensive JAMA review of DFU epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management; free full text and downloadable PDF via PubMed Central.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9797649/
Detailed review of DFU lifetime risk, recurrence, amputation incidence, mortality, and racial/socioeconomic disparities in outcomes; free full text.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7503503/
Systematic review and pooled analysis of mortality, re-amputation, and re-ulceration rates following DFU-related lower-extremity amputation.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8244009/
Real-world cohort data quantifying healthcare costs and amputation-free survival associated with DFU severity.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6048950/
U.S. Nationwide Inpatient Sample analysis quantifying the hospitalization and cost burden attributable specifically to infected DFUs.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10829909/
A recent, freely available review summarizing morbidity patterns and direct healthcare costs of diabetic foot disorders across multiple health systems.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5761954/
A global perspective on the economic and financial impact of DFUs, with country-level cost comparisons.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7192475/
Systematic review of cost-effectiveness studies for DFU infection interventions; free full text.
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The authoritative global source for diabetes prevalence, mortality, and health-expenditure statistics, updated regularly (11th edition, 2025).
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https://idf.org/about-diabetes/diabetes-facts-figures/
Concise summary statistics on global diabetes prevalence and projected growth through 2050, useful for patient-facing pages.
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https://diabetesatlas.org/resources/idf-diabetes-atlas-reports/
Links to thematic IDF Atlas deep-dives, including editions specifically addressing diabetes-related foot complications.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11057359/
The peer-reviewed scientific paper underlying the IDF Atlas estimates — free full text with detailed methodology and regional breakdowns.
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https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5245a3.htm
CDC surveillance data on U.S. foot ulcer history and lower-extremity amputation rates among people with diabetes.
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https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/diabetes-foot-ulcer-amputation-prevalence/research
Federal (AHRQ) report with detailed U.S. prevalence statistics broken down by sex, race/ethnicity, and geography; free PDF/Excel data tables included.
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https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/diabetes-foot-ulcer-amputation-incidence/research
Companion AHRQ report with U.S. incidence rates, mortality rates following DFU/amputation, and associated comorbidity prevalence.
Statistics & Epidemiology
*Open resource publications were prioritized for inclusion, as a result this is not a full inclusive list of key publications. The resources listed on this page are peer reviewed publications and third party statistical sources, provided for informational and reference purposes only. Inclusion of a resource does not constitute an endorsement, and this list is not exhaustive. This page does not constitute medical advice.