New Biomarker for Diabetic Food Ulcers Show Promising Results

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in the Medicine journal has found that a new biomarker, presepsin, can offer greater specificity in detecting bacterial infections, particularly in patients with diabetic food ulcers (DFU). The prospective observational study, conducted at Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital in Turkey, assessed the use of presepsin in predicting amputation risk in patients with DFU at admission. The researchers found that increased presepsin levels were observed in patients with DFU, along with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that presepsin is a new biomarker that can offer greater specificity in detecting bacterial infections.
  • The prospective observational study included 78 patients, 49 of whom were male (62.8%), with a median age of 70.
  • Patients with DFU were staged using the Wagner classification, and a presepsin test and review of clinical records were conducted at admission.
  • Increased presepsin levels were observed in patients with DFU, along with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count.
  • The researchers found that integrating presepsin and clinical score interpretations can predict severe infections requiring amputation.
  • The study suggests that presepsin may be a useful tool for predicting amputation risk in patients with DFU.

Statistics:

  • The study included 78 patients, 49 of whom were male (62.8%).
  • The median age of the patients was 70.
  • 63 patients were in the DFU group, while 15 were in the control group (no DFU).
  • Increased presepsin levels were observed in 55% of patients with DFU.
  • The study found that elevated CRP levels were observed in 70.4% of patients with DFU.
  • Increased white blood cell count was observed in 65.1% of patients with DFU.

Sources:

  • "Diagnostic value of presepsin for severe diabetic food ulcers: A prospective observational study" by Derya Kocer et al., published in Medicine, 2025;104(40).
  • Medicine, 2025;104(40).
  • Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Kayseri, Turkey.
  • Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA (publisher of Medicine).
  • NewsRx, Researchers at Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital Report Findings in Blood Research (Diagnostic value of presepsin for severe diabetic food ulcers: A prospective observational study). Hematology Week. October 20, 2025; p 532.