Computational Strategy for the Generation of the Clinical Histories of Patients with Diabetic Foot

In patients, suffering diabetes mellitus by long time, the pathology of the diabetic foot is a consequence of that serious disease, appearing in many cases. This problem can be prevented through the evaluation and tracking of certain physical characteristics into tissues composing the patient feet, in such a way that, specific therapies could be applied. For instance, the blood flow in some foot zones is correlated with the tissues health status. Moreover, it would be possible to follow the effectiveness of some applicable preventive therapies, through a protocol based on regular clinical measurements. Here we explain the strategy used to generate a computer system, designed to dynamically create and maintain the medical records of patients with diabetic foot. The system can be used through a Web site, specialized in diabetic foot, including clinical and researching institutions having the possibility of sharing a complete information about many patients with diabetes: (i) data logging about patient medical histories, (ii) medical diagnostic observations, (iii) distinct therapeutic prescriptions, (iv) particular notes of the treating medical specialist, (v) and to follow-up the evolution of ulcers or predictive changes in the areas most prone to ulcerations. This powerful computational tool was designed for an easy handling, and an efficient inter-communication of a main server with a number of user computers connected through a medical network. Some results for “diabetic foot” tracking are shown. From its use by medical specialists and their successive observations, adjustments in the initial programming and possible extensions of this clinical tool are expected in the future.