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Biomedical subjects

Karel Bakker

Publications and source records attributed to Karel Bakker.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

2005: The International Diabetes Federation focuses on the diabetic foot.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has proclaimed 2005 to be the "Year of the Diabetic Foot." Together with the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot, the IDF has launched a year-long campaign to raise awareness of the diabetic foot worldwide. In this article, both organizations are briefly described, an overview of the aims of the global awareness campaign is given, and the activities to promote World Diabetes Day in 2005 are outlined. Attention is also paid to present and future developments to improve the standards of diabetic foot care worldwide.

Diabetic Foot↗

Reduction in diabetes-related lower-extremity amputations in The Netherlands: 1991-2000.

OBJECTIVE: Lower-extremity amputation is a common complication among patients with diabetes throughout the world. However, few data exist on the actual impact of the recent moves to improve the management of diabetic foot ulcers to reduce the incidence of lower-extremity amputations. The aim was to determine the incidence of lower-extremity amputations among diabetic patients from 1991 to 2000 in The Netherlands. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A secondary database containing information regarding all hospital admissions in which a lower-extremity amputation occurred for the years 1991-2000 was obtained from the Dutch National Medical Register. Because a patient-unique identifier was included, multiple amputations and hospitalizations for a single individual could be identified. Furthermore, age- and sex-specific diabetes prevalence rates were calculated using a 3-year average for every year, calculating the total diabetic population in the Netherlands at risk for every year. RESULTS: In 1991, a total of 1,687 patients with diabetes had been admitted 1,865 times for 2,409 amputations. In 2000, a total of 1,673 patients with diabetes were admitted 1,932 times for 2,448 amputations. The overall incidence rates of the number of patients who underwent lower-extremity amputation decreased over the years from 55.0 to 36.3 per 10,000 patients with diabetes (P < 0.05). Both in men (71.8 vs. 46.1, P < 0.05) and women (45.0 vs. 28.0, P < 0.05) with diabetes, a significant decrease could be observed. Mean duration of hospitalization decreased from 45.0 days (SD 44.4) in 1991 to 36.2 days (SD 38.4) in 2000; decreases were observed for both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Over the years observed in this study, the incidence rates of diabetes-related lower-extremity amputation in The Netherlands was found to decrease in both men (36%) and women (38%) with diabetes. Furthermore, the duration of hospitalization decreased over time.

Amputation, Surgical↗

The international consensus and practical guidelines on the management and prevention of the diabetic foot.

Diabetic foot ulcers pose a great burden on both the patient and the health care system. A multifactorial approach is necessary in diagnosing and treating these patients, with the input of many different specialists. These different view points and approaches were the basis for the International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot, resulting in a worldwide network of professionals involved in the management of diabetic patients with foot problems. Moreover, several consensus texts were produced and the project resulted in many (local) national initiatives. These activities, which are a continuous process and which are embedded in the International Diabetes Federation, are described in the article.

Consensus↗

Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and in the first postpartum year in women with diabetes mellitus type 1.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy and in the first postpartum year (postpartum thyroid dysfunction (PPTD)) in women with diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) is known to be higher than in the general population. To assess prevalence, incidence and risk factors in The Netherlands we performed a prospective cohort study. DESIGN: From 1994 to 1998, 126 women with DM1 from eight Dutch clinics were included. TSH, free thyroxine, free tri-iodothyronine and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-ab) were measured pre-pregnancy, in the first and last trimester of pregnancy and at 1.5, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after delivery. RESULTS: Eighty-two women completed the study. Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy was observed in 22.5% (first trimester) and 18.4% (third trimester), and mostly consisted of subclinical hypothyroidism. Baseline characteristics of women with thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy did not differ from those without thyroid dysfunction. Overt PPTD was seen in 15.9%. Incidence of PPTD was 10%. Patients with PPTD were slightly older than those without PPTD and the prevalence of TPO-ab was higher in these women. CONCLUSION: In women with DM1 the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and overt PPTD is 3-fold higher than in the general Dutch population. Risk factors are age and TPO-ab. Given the possible impact on psychomotor development of the offspring and on well-being of the mother these data suggest there is a case for screening (pre-)pregnant women with DM1 for TSH and TPO-ab.

Adult↗