Remote monitoring of diabetic foot using Foot Watch (FUSS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can Foot Watch Support Remote Monitoring of Feet in People with Diabetes?
IRAS ID
345527
Contact name
Agnieszka Falinska
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Surrey Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Diabetes affects 3.8 million people aged 16 years and over in England. Diabetic foot ulcers in turn impact quarter of patients with diabetes at some point in their life leading to half of UK lower limb amputations and costing the NHS £900 million annually. There is good evidence that many cases of diabetes-related foot-disease can be prevented, as in NICE guidance stated that every person living with diabetes should have an annual foot check
However, previous data suggests that up to 1 in 4 people with diabetes don’t remember having their annual foot check. It is accepted that with appropriate management and prevention, many diabetic foot complications could be entirely avoided.
A solution to improve the number of patients taking the yearly diabetic foot checks, should in turn help to reduce the severity of the diabetic foot disease. This would therefore reduce complications, improving health and reducing costs to the NHS.
To help with yearly diabetic foot monitoring we will use and assess a simple web application “Foot Watch” downloaded to patients’ mobile phones with a camera, to monitor and prevent diabetic foot complications through frequent monitoring at home. We will assess the feasibility and quality of such monitoring by validated questionnaires on the web app from the clinicians and by post from the patients.REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0951
Date of REC Opinion
6 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion