Diabetes and wound healing.

The effect of diabetes on wound healing is a very complex issue that continues to leave many unanswered questions. There continues to be an empiric fact that diabetic patients are at increased risk for the development of infection and impaired wound healing. The precise underlying defect(s) continue to be a focus of research; however, it is generally agreed that improved glycemic control plays a significant role in lowering the risk of wound healing complications. Diabetic patients need to pay special attention to their diabetes care in general as well as to the critical illness, wound, or ulcer that has brought them to our care.