Foot ulcers and amputation, which are consequences of diabetic neuropathy and/or peripheral arterial disease, are common and represent major causes of morbidity and mortality in people with diabetes. At any one time 2-4% of the diabetic population is likely to have an active foot ulcer and more than half of these will become infected. Eighty-five percent of infected diabetic foot ulcers progress to lower limb amputation after which 5-year mortality rates are significantly increased. Management of diabetic foot ulcers is a long and complex process that begins before ulcer formation through a program of prevention.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Incidence and prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Peripheral sympathetic autonomic neuropathy
• Infection and diabetic foot ulcers
• Management of diabetic foot ulcers