Can artificial intelligence and wearable technologies transform diabetes foot health?

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Diabetes Research

Background:

• Diabetes foot ulcers (DFUs) represent a significant global health burden, causing high rates of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditure.
• Effective management of DFUs is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing socioeconomic impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies for managing diabetes-related foot complications.
• To evaluate the potential of these technologies to transform the landscape of diabetes foot care.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on AI applications in DFU detection, diagnosis, and monitoring.
• Analysis of novel sensing technologies, including thermal imaging, clinical imaging, pressure, and temperature sensors.
• Examination of wearable technologies for enhanced foot monitoring and personalized care.

Main Results:

• AI-powered image analysis facilitates early DFU detection, remote diagnosis, and monitoring, potentially reducing disparities in specialist access.
• Wearable technologies with integrated sensors can improve foot monitoring and enable personalized interventions.
• Significant ethical challenges related to AI, including accountability, explainability, data security, and equitable access, must be addressed.

Conclusions:

• AI and wearable technologies hold the potential to revolutionize diabetes foot health and research.
• These technologies are not yet ready for clinical practice implementation.
• Further large-scale, well-funded clinical trials and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to realize the full potential of these innovations.