Individualize Treatment for Diabetes-Related Foot Infections

Conversations about how to treat foot infections in patients with diabetes will be spurred by updated treatment guidelines.

Create an individualized care plan that includes debridement...wound care...off-loading...and specialist referrals (vascular, etc), if needed.

Keep in mind, about half of diabetes-related foot ulcers are not infected...and there are no good data that antibiotics speed ulcer healing or reduce risk of an infection.

But recommend empiric antibiotics if there’s an infection. Choose based on likely pathogens, patient-specific factors (allergies, severity, etc), and your local antibiogram if available.

Mild. For infections with superficial inflammation, cover gram-positives with oral cephalexin or dicloxacillin.

But for patients who’ve taken antibiotics within the past month, also cover gram-negatives with agents such as amoxicillin/clavulanate.

Add MRSA coverage (doxycycline, TMP/SMX, etc) in patients at risk...such as those with a history of MRSA infection or known colonization.

Don’t empirically cover for Pseudomonas unless there are additional risk factors, such as recent positive cultures from the affected site or frequent foot exposure to water (hot tub, lake, pool, etc).

Moderate. For wounds that are deeper or with erythema 2 cm or more from the wound margin...withOUT systemic signs (fever, tachycardia, etc)...ensure gram-positive and gram-negative coverage.

Start amoxicillin/clavulanate in most cases, especially if you suspect anaerobes...such as a wound with a foul odor or necrosis.

Consider IV antibiotics for high-risk patients, such as those with peripheral artery disease or those unable to adhere to oral meds.

And if needed, add empiric coverage for MRSA.

Severe. For any patient with at least 2 systemic signs...or not responding to oral therapy...jump to IV antibiotics.

Cover gram-positives, gram-negatives, and anaerobes (ampicillin/sulbactam, ceftriaxone plus metronidazole, etc).

But if Pseudomonas is suspected, suggest a regimen such as IV piperacillin/tazobactam.

And add IV vancomycin for patients at risk for MRSA.

Expect treatment duration to vary based on severity...starting with 1 to 2 weeks for mild infections.

For more on duration of therapy and when to switch to po, see our resource, Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

And get our resource, Managing Beta-Lactam Allergies, for help sifting through options for patients reporting a penicillin allergy.

• FAQ: Managing Beta-Lactam Allergies
  
• Chart: Skin and Soft Tissue Infections