Abstract
Background
Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is often difficult to detect in its early stages, making diagnosis challenging. This study is to investigate the relationship between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and DFO, while also evaluating the potential of Lp-PLA2 as an early diagnostic biomarker for DFO.
Methods
A total of 265 patients with type 2 diabetes complicated by diabetic foot infections were selected for the study. Participants were divided into the Non-DFO group (184 cases) and the DFO group (81 cases). Serum Lp-PLA2 levels were measured. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify risk factors associated with DFO. Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of Lp-PLA2 in patients with DFO.
Results
Lp-PLA2 in the DFO group were significantly higher than those in the Non-DFO group (P < .05). Lp-PLA2 (OR, 1.015 [95% CI, 1.011-1.019]; P < .001), lower extremity arterial disease (OR, 2.453 [95% CI, 1.147-5.247]; P < .05), and ESR (OR, 1.042 [95% CI, 1.026-1.059]; P < .001) were the independent risk factors for DFO. Lp-PLA2 and ESR were shown to be associated with DFO, with their respective areas under the curve (AUC) being 0.787 and 0.683. The sensitivity and specificity of Lp-PLA2 were 65.4% and 82.6%, respectively, while those of ESR were 48.1% and 95.1%. Combined Lp-PLA2 and ESR showed the best diagnostic performance (AUC 0.858, sensitivity 79.0%, specificity 84.2%).
Conclusion
As a preliminary one, Lp-PLA2 demonstrates significant diagnostic value for DFO. The combination of Lp-PLA2 and ESR can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy of DFO.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.