Some diabetic patients undergo the surgical mutilation of inferior members when an irreversible damage in the nerves and vessels that irrigate their legs takes place.

Nevertheless, an investigation by a group of scientists at the city of Wolverhampton , United Kingdom , indicates that many amputations are practiced in patients that did not have enough effort dedicated to the medical care and recovery of the affected member.

According to statistics, those who suffer this disease have a probability of suffering an amputation, 15 times greater than a healthy person.

'This investigation shows clearly that the care provided to high risk diabetic patients is inadequate ", declared Baldev Singh, specialist doctor whom carried out the study.

'15% of the diabetic patients have ulcers or wounds in the inferior members, which makes them high risk, and of that group 80% have a probability of having an amputation between 10 and 15 years after the diagnosis of the disease. This percentage is high, for that reason it raises world-wide attention', said Dr. Yamile Javiz Pacheco, head of the diabetic foot in the Colombian Association of Diabetes.

The study that was presented at the annual conference of Diabetes UK , in Birmingham , England also indicates that 70% of the amputated diabetics die within the first five years after the mutilating surgery.

According to the results of the survey on which the work is based, more than one fourth of the patients considered of high risk, and which was anticipated could undergo amputations in the future, did not receive any type of specialized treatment to try to reverse the prognosis.

15% of diabetic patients have ulcers or wounds in inferior members, and of them there is an 80% probability of being amputated.

Two out of five patients were not educated in either preventing or treating the infections. These, like the recurrent ulcerations, the circulatory problems and the deformity of the extremities, increase the risk of amputation.

According to the conclusions presented, the rate of amputations could be reduced almost in half if effective care is provided and if a periodic control to risk patients is bestowed.

'All diagnosed patient must have an evaluation of feet, to see if there is a loss in sensitivity, if there is good circulation, how is the skin, perspiration, etcetera ", explained doctor Javiz Pacheco.

'After this analysis, an evaluation of each case then occurs. Those with a zero risk, must still be examined once per year. And those of greater risk, with previous ulcers or amputations, must pass a revision every one or two months', the specialist considered.