title: Hand infections in the diabetic patient.
abstract: Between 1984 and 1994, 23 diabetic patients were admitted to a university hospital/Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Medical Centre with a primary or secondary diagnosis of hand infection. We also identified 726 patients admitted to all DVA Medical Centres during the years 1989 through 1994 with co-diagnoses of diabetes mellitus and hand infection. Contrary to previously published literature, most diabetic hand infections are non-specific, confined to the soft tissues, and respond to broad spectrum parenteral antibiotic therapy. When surgery is necessary, most patients do not require amputation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pinzur
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bednar
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors