Younes and Albsoul reported the DEPA score for evaluating a diabetic foot ulcer. The authors are from Jordan University Hospital.
Patient selection: diabetic foot ulcer
Parameters:
(1) depth (D)
(2) extent of bacterial colonization (E)
(3) phase of ulcer healing (P)
(4) associated underlying etiology (A)
|
Parameter
|
Finding
|
Points
|
|
depth
|
skin
|
1
|
|
|
soft tissue
|
2
|
|
|
bone
|
3
|
|
extent of colonization
|
contamination
|
1
|
|
|
infection
|
2
|
|
|
necrotizing infection
|
3
|
|
phase of ulcer healing
|
granulation tissue
|
1
|
|
|
inflammatory
|
2
|
|
|
nonhealing
|
3
|
|
associated etiology
|
neuropathy
|
1
|
|
|
bone deformity
|
2
|
|
|
ischemia
|
3
|
where:
• A nonhealing ulcer shows no granulation tissue and duration > 2 weeks.
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 4
• maximum score: 12
|
Total Score
|
Grade
|
|
4 to 6
|
low
|
|
7 to 9
|
moderate
|
|
10 to 12
|
high
|
The grade is also designated high if there is wet gangrene.
