Infection Risk Management in Diabetes Mellitus
Summary
People with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of a wide range of infections due to chronic hyperglycaemia, vascular insufficiencies and immune dysfunction. The interplay between elevated blood glucose and impaired innate and adaptive immunity predisposes to common and atypical pathogens, with urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis and sepsis among the most prevalent serious outcomes. Microvascular complications further compromise local tissue perfusion and nerve function, undermining barrier defences and delaying recognition of infection. Effective management requires a multifaceted approach encompassing rigorous glycaemic control, regular screening for high-risk complications, targeted vaccination, optimised antimicrobial stewardship and patient education on foot care, skin hygiene and early symptom detection. Globally, the burden is particularly acute in low- and middle-income settings, where healthcare access and resources may be limited. Integration of novel biomarkers, personalised risk stratification and community-based interventions offers the prospect of reducing morbidity and mortality from infection in people with diabetes.
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Infection Risk Management in Diabetes Mellitus publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in infection risk management in diabetes mellitus across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Hyperglycaemia: A state of chronically elevated blood glucose that impairs immune cell function and tissue healing.
Complement system: A cascade of plasma proteins that opsonise pathogens and promote phagocytosis as part of innate immunity.
Microvascular complications: Damage to small blood vessels affecting nerve and tissue perfusion, commonly including retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy.
References
- Diabetes and infection: review of the epidemiology, mechanisms and principles of treatment. Diabetologia (2024).
- The double burden of diabetes and global infection in low and middle-income countries. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (2018).
- The prevalence of urinary tract infections in type 2 diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Medical Research (2022).
- Hyperglycemic conditions inhibit C3-mediated immunologic control of Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Translational Medicine (2012).
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