NEWS –  State government plans to expand Diabetic Foot Care Initiative through D-PoC

HIGHLIGHTS

Analysis of Findings on Diabetic Foot-Related Conditions

• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Detected in 8,437 patients (82%).
• Peripheral Arterial Disease: Found in 1,234 patients (12%).
• Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Diagnosed in 3,395 patients (33%).
• A demo screening was conducted at Arogya Soudha from August 26 to September 5, screening 100 individuals.

How Does D-PoC Work?

• Overview of D-PoC:
  • Comprises three interconnected devices linked to a dashboard.
  • Assisted by a trained paramedic for guiding patients.
• Step-by-Step Process:
  • Data Collection:
    • Patients provide details about diabetes history, symptoms, medication, and other relevant information via a handheld device.
    • These inputs help create a diabetic foot registry.
  • Foot Pressure Assessment:
    • Patients step on a pedo-scanner to map and display pressure points on their feet.
  • Neuropathy Assessment:
    • A ‘Neurotouch’ device evaluates the level of peripheral neuropathy.
  • Blood Flow Tests:
    • Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) and Toe Brachial Index (TBI) tests identify blood-flow obstructions in the feet.

Creation of Digital Foot Twins

• Purpose:
  • D-PoC facilitates the creation of digital twins of patients’ feet, capturing their full physiology.
• Applications:
  • Improved Foot Care: Enables doctors to measure disease progression.
  • Digital Comparison: Allows comparison of predicted vs. actual disease progression.
  • Predictive Podiatry:
    • Utilizes machine learning algorithms to forecast foot behavior over 1, 5, or 10 years.
    • Aims to revolutionize diabetic foot care in India.

Future Plans and Collaborations

• State-Level Implementation:
  • BeST is engaging with the state health department and private foundations to establish:
    • NCD nodal points in primary health centres and taluk hospitals across Karnataka.
  • Approval Process:
    • Proposal to undergo review by the technical committee.
    • Implementation to commence following budget approval and formal go-ahead.