Study of Infrared Thermography in Diabetic Foot in Guadeloupe

It is hypothesized that thermal imaging differs between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in Guadeloupe. Infrared thermography is also suggested as a useful tool for studying diabetic foot ulceration. The main objective is to compare the temperatures of four areas of the plantar surface of the foot among non-diabetic individuals, diabetic individuals, and diabetic individuals with foot ulceration.

Diabetes represents a major public health issue in the region. Among its most severe complications is diabetic foot ulceration, which frequently results in amputation. Infrared thermography is a non-invasive and non-ionizing imaging technique that provides precise temperature data at specific points on the body. When combined with 3D imaging technologies, infrared thermography may offer early diagnostic potential for infections related to diabetic foot ulcers, by revealing both visible and subclinical signs. A preliminary step in assessing the relevance of thermal imaging is to determine whether thermographic patterns differ between the feet of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals within the Guadeloupean population, particularly in a tropical climate. Currently, international guidelines do not recommend infrared thermography as part of routine clinical practice for managing diabetic foot ulceration. However, this imaging modality could potentially contribute to the diagnostic arsenal for infections associated with diabetic foot ulcers.