Background

The lifetime risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer approaches 25% in the UK, resulting in direct costs for the care of diabetic foot ulcers at more than £250 million. Diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer infection remains entirely clinical; there is currently no objective test available at the point of patient care to assist the clinician in deciding whether or not to prescribe antibiotics.

C reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin and calprotectin are all markers of infection that are becoming available as Point Of Care Tests (POCTs). However, the prognostic value of a combination of these results has not yet been evaluated for diabetic foot ulcer infection.