Prevention of recurrence and readmission in persons with diabetic foot disease
This research group was established in Summer 2025. News and updates from the group will be available on this page.
BACKGROUND
Diabetic foot is known to be a severe long-term complication of diabetes. Although in the last years many improvements have been achieved, including a significant reduction of major amputation, ulcer recurrence and hospital readmission related to diabetic foot disease remain two current challenges for health care professionals operating in the field. Ulcer recurrence has been estimated to be 40% at 1 year after wound healing, and 60% at 3 years, while approximately 25% of patients admitted for diabetic foot problems require a new hospitalization after 6 months of follow-up. Ulcer recurrence and hospital re-admission are related to increased risk of non-healing, reduced quality of life and high cost for health care systems.
PROJECT VISION
The group will discuss different items: epidemiology, causes of recurrence/readmission, characteristics of recurrent/readmitted patients, pathways for future prevention.
The young scientists will be involved in the development of different topics, collecting data, data analysis, writing of papers, and proposal for clinical improvement in the daily clinical practice with the aim to reduce the mentioned global burden.
Mentors of the project
Prash Vas
United Kingdom
Marco Meloni
Italy
José Luis Lazaro Martinez
Spain
Alberto Piaggesi
Italy
Mike Edmonds
United Kingdom
Meet the young scientists
Ermanno Bellizzi, MD
PRESENT POSITION: Member of the Diabetic Foot Team at University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. Resident in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases – University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. Department of Medical Sciences, UOC Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Clinical management of hospitalized patients with chronic complications of diabetes, including treatment of diabetic foot disease, and internal medicine-related conditions.
YoSID (Società Italiana Diabetologia-Young) Regional Coordinator for the Lazio Region.
EDUCATION:
Licensed to practice as a Medical Doctor – Italy, 2020
Single-Cycle master’s degree in medicine and surgery, Sapienza University of Rome – Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2019
Assoc. Prof. Gustav Jarl
PRESENT POSITION: Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist, and Researcher, Region Örebro and Örebro University, Sweden
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. Örebro University, Sweden, 2014
Prosthetist and Orhotist degreee, B.Sc, Jönköping University, Sweden, 2001
M.Sc. Prosthetics and Orthotics, Jönköping University, Sweden, 2003
Ph.D. Medicine, Örebro University, Sweden, 2014
M.Sc. Decision, Risk and Policy Analysis, University of Gävle, Sweden, 2020
Jon Campey
PRESENT POSITION: Advanced Podiatrist, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
EDUCATION:
Master of Science module; Independent and Supplementary Prescribing, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate Campus, United Kingdom, 2024
Master of Science module; Mechanics of the Diabetic Foot, University of Staffordshire, United Kingdom, 2021
Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Podiatry, Department of Podiatry, University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom, 2012
Julija Križaj, MD
PRESENT POSITION: General Surgery Resident, Department Of Surgical Infections, UKC Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
EDUCATION:
Pofessional Exam, Medical Chamber of Slovenia, 2023
Doctor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2022
Rosa Colella
PRESENT POSITION: Clinical Research Nurse and Wound Care Specialist at the IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia, Italy
EDUCATION:
Master I Level Management and Coordination of Health Professions, 2023
Master I Level in Research Nursing and Evidence Based Practice from University of Pavia, Italy, 2019
Master I Level in Nurse Specialist In Vulnology, University of Pavia, Italy, 2017
Bachelor Degree in Nursing, 2011