Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42907948›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2026

Diabetic hand infections: a case series highlighting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Meryem Billur Miroğlu, Sibel Yıldız Kaya, Rıdvan Karaali, Gözde Dalgan, Çağlar Yılmaz, Berrak Karatan, Neşe Saltoğlu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Meryem Billur MiroğluCerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye. meryem.aslan@iuc.edu.tr.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-3227-661X
Sibel Yıldız KayaCerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6319-7889
Rıdvan KaraaliCerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2440-7529
Gözde DalganCerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2185-6938
Çağlar YılmazCerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9197-9717
Berrak KaratanCerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3921-5087
Neşe SaltoğluCerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4239-9585

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDiabetic hand infections are uncommon but potentially severe complications of diabetes mellitus. Because of the complex anatomy and functional importance of the hand, these infections may progress rapidly and result in serious morbidity, including osteomyelitis and amputation. Clinical data on this condition remain limited.

methodsThis case series included patients hospitalized with diabetic hand infection at a tertiary care center between 2020 and 2026. Patients, ≥ 18 year-old, with confirmed diabetes mellitus and clinical, microbiological, and/or radiological evidence of hand infection were included. Demographic data, comorbidities, HbA1c levels, laboratory findings, microbiological results, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes were reviewed from medical records.

resultsSeven patients were included. Osteomyelitis was identified in 57% of patients, while 43% had isolated soft tissue infection. Polymicrobial infection was present in 85% of cases. Staphylococcus spp. were the most commonly isolated pathogens, followed by Enterococcus spp. and Gram-negative organisms. Gram-negative bacteria were identified in 28% of cases. Surgical intervention was required in most patients, and 28% underwent amputation. Poor glycemic control, minor trauma, polymicrobial infection, and deep tissue involvement were common features in this series.

conclusionsDiabetic hand infections should be recognized as serious and potentially aggressive complications of diabetes mellitus. Early diagnosis, appropriate imaging, timely surgical management, and culture-guided antimicrobial therapy are essential to improve outcomes. Larger multicenter studies are needed to better define prognostic factors and to guide more standardized treatment strategies.

Indexed as

Diabetes ComplicationsHandOsteomyelitisSoft Tissue InfectionsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAmputation, SurgicalAnti-Bacterial AgentsFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesAnti-Bacterial AgentsAmputationDiabetes mellitusDiabetic hand infectionOsteomyelitisPolymicrobial infectionSurgical treatment

Identifiers

PMID42907948
PMCPMC13688772

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.