Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Treatment (Biologics, Wound Care Dressings), By Ulcer Type (Neuro-ischemic, Ischemic, Neuropathic), By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global diabetic foot ulcer treatment market size was valued at USD 4.67 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% from 2022 to 2030. Diabetes is one of the most common health conditions across the globe and affects nearly 537 million adults in 2021 and is predicted to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045, as per the International Diabetes Federation. In Europe, in 2019, nearly 19.3 million people aged 60-79, 11.3 million aged 40-59 years, and 1.7 million aged 20-39 years suffered from diabetes. Germany accounted for the largest share of ~10.5% of the diabetic population in this region, followed by Portugal (~9.5%) and Cyprus (~9.0%).

Studies suggest that ~15% of the diabetic population across the globe develop foot ulcers and ~6% need hospitalization. In the U.S., nearly 14% to 24% of the diabetic population with foot ulcers undergo foot amputation. About 60% of diabetes leads to neuropathy causing foot ulcers. Hence, it is also the leading cause of no traumatic lower extremity amputations in the U.S. Prevalence rate of diabetes in Asia is ~5.5%. Increased risk of obesity, chronic diabetic condition, peripheral artery diseases, poor glycemic control, underlying neuropathy, or poor foot care are expected to increase the risk of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), eventually decreasing mobility and leading to amputation of lower extremities.

Factors such as increasing obesity and physical inactivity are said to influence the rise in the diabetic population. Poorly-managed diabetes leads to blindness, kidney failure, cardiac arrest, liver failure, and limb amputation due to untreated foot ulcers. The global prevalence rate of foot ulcers in diabetic patients ranges between 4.0% and 10.0% and the incidence rate lies between 1.0% and 4.1%. According to statistics published by the International Diabetes Federation, 10%-15% of diabetic patients may develop lesions once in their lifetime. Type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients are at a higher risk of developing DFUs compared to Type 1 Diabetic (T1D) patients.

DFUs are the leading cause of hospitalization among patients suffering from diabetes and a significant number of cases result in lower limb amputation. The prevalence of DFU varies significantly across continents. According to the International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology data, in 2016, North America reported the highest prevalence of DFU (13.0%), followed by Africa (7.2%), Asia (5.5%), and Europe (5.1%). The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and fatal complications. Clinicians faced critical challenges to manage diabetic foot ulcers during the pandemic due to limited access to laboratories, radiological testing, and reduced admission in care settings.

Despite the adoption of telehealth and telemedicine, diabetic foot ulcers needed personal attention and care. This surged the demand for DFU management tools in the market, leading to an increase in the supply by manufacturers. Companies like Smith and Nephew claimed that their revenues increased in the year 2020 due to the enormous sales of their leading DFU care products. In addition, studies published by the British Diabetic Association stated that in England, nearly 5% of COVID-19 infected patients developed diabetes within 7 months post-discharge. Thus, the need for DFU treatment products increased at large- and small-scale hospitals, community clinics, surgery centers, nursing homes, and outpatient care settings.

Treatment Insights

The biologics segment dominated the market and accounted for over 30.0% share of the overall revenue in 2021. The segment is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Biologics include growth factors, such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), stem cells, and other anti-diabetic drugs. These agents help reduce hyperglycemia, increase oxygenation and circulation, and repair lost tissues. Therefore, they are increasingly being used for the management of wounds in different stages and are considered to be ideal for DFU treatment.

Wound care dressings held the second-largest share of the global revenue in 2021, followed by therapy devices and antibiotic medications. Wound care is further segmented into alginate dressings, Hydrofiber dressings, foam dressings, film dressings, hydrocolloid dressings, surgical dressings, and hydrogel dressing. Foam dressing captured the largest share in the market for wound care dressings in 2021. These dressings have been designed to absorb exudate and maintain moisture on the wound surface. Polyurethane foam dressings are applied directly or with an antimicrobial layer on the affected area and are then wrapped with a gauze or a bandage to provide compression. Alginate dressing is expected to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period within the wound care segment. The growth of this market can be attributed to the increasing use of alginate dressings in the treatment of DFUs. Alginate dressings are highly absorbent and help in maintaining a moist wound healing environment. Additionally, the therapy device segment is expected to register a CAGR of 6.4% in the forecast period and antibiotic medications are expected to grow at a steady rate of 3.3% over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

The others segment, which includes clinics and homecare settings, held the largest revenue share of over 50.0% in 2021. The segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecast period due to the growth of the geriatric patient population, a shift in treatment to home care settings, and the increased adoption of teleconferencing. An increase in the number of specialty clinics in the forecast period is said to influence the market growth. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most clinics adopted telemedicine to treat patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Digital photography was used to assess and monitor foot ulcers and pre‐ulcerative lesions and was found to be a valid, reliable, and feasible method for telehealth purposes. Audio/video/online communication was mainly used for foot ulcer monitoring. This ensured high growth for clinics and homecare settings.

The hospitals segment accounted for the second-largest revenue share in 2021. The increased adoption rate of treatment, presence 0f skilled staff, and favorable reimbursement policies are the factors influencing the market growth in this region. The cost of diabetic foot ulcer treatment in the U.S. is ~USD 1 billion annually and rising. Studies suggest that the rise in diabetic foot ulcers due to increased diabetes cases has increased admission by 11-fold, accounting for more than 80% of all amputations and increasing hospital costs by more than 10-fold over 5 years. Educational initiatives and early prevention strategies through outpatient multidisciplinary care targeted at high-risk populations are essential to prevent further increases.

Ulcer Type Insights

The neuro-ischemic ulcers segment dominated the industry in 2021 and accounted for a revenue share of more than 50.0%, followed by the neuropathic and ischemic ulcer segments. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the number of risks associated with neuro-ischemic ulcers, such as infection, amputation, and death. Neuropathic ulcer affects nearly 35% of all ulcers, however, neuro-ischemia affects ~50% of the diabetic population. Sensorimotor and sympathetic diabetic neuropathy are major risk factors for DFU. Sensory neuropathy leads to loss of pain, pressure, and temperature sensation. In this case, traumatic or minor ulceration is perceived less or not at all. Motor neuropathy leads to muscle weakness and atrophy of the lower foot and ankle, resulting in abnormal loading of the plantar aspect of the foot.

Foot deformities such as hammer toes and claw foot develop secondary to motor neuropathy, leading to focal areas of increased pressure and the formation of calluses and ulcers. Sympathetic neuropathy results in reduced sweating, skin dryness with cracks and fissures, and increased blood flow to the foot with arteriovenous shunting. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and sucrose octa sulfate dressing are among the few highly researched treatments for neuro ischemic ulcers. Contact cast is considered the most effective option for treating neuro ischemic ulcers. Increased research and clinical studies are said to further enhance the growth of this segment. Treatment of DFU costs around ~USD 779.50 million per annum in the U.K. and ~USD 10.21 billion per annum across Europe.

Regional Insights

North America accounted for the largest revenue share of over 35.0% in 2021 and is expected to maintain its lead over the forecast period. Currently, there are 51 million patients suffering from diabetes in North America and the Caribbean region. The number is said to go up by 24% by 2045. The presence of large market players, increased healthcare GDP expenditure, and improved reimbursement for DFU treatment are key factors influencing the market growth in the region.

Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR of 7.4% in the forecast period. Nearly 90 million people are suffering from diabetes in 2021 in South East Asia and the number is expected to reach 152 million in 2045, according to the International Diabetes Federation. The presence of the diabetic population, a large number of juvenile diabetic patients in this region, increased insulin resistance relative to reduced insulin secretory function, and the high cost of treatment are key factors responsible for the rise of DFU in this region. Nearly 60% of people with Type 2 diabetes live in China and India.

A sedentary lifestyle, food habits, and limited access to healthy foods are also the reasons for a rise in the diabetic population in the country. In China, the annual incidence of ulceration and amputation was ~8% and 5% among the diabetic population and the fatality rate among patients with ulceration was 14.4%. Treatment for DFU in China costs nearly USD 2,550 and the average length of stay is 18 days. The International Diabetes Foundation and governments across all countries in Asia are taking initiatives to increase awareness to ease the social and medical burdens.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Major industry participants are working to improve their service offerings by investing significantly in research and development to introduce newer and more efficient products in the market. Growing acquisitions, partnerships, expansions, and supportive government initiatives have led to strengthening their market positions. For instance, in June 2022, Smith and Nephew established an R&D and manufacturing unit in the U.K. to enhance its advanced wound management segment. Some prominent players in the global diabetic foot ulcer treatment market include:

• ConvaTec, Inc.

• Acelity L.P., Inc.

• 3M Healthcare

• Coloplast Corp.

• Smith & Nephew Plc

• B Braun Melsungen AG

• Medline Industries, Inc.

• Organogenesis, Inc.

• Molnlycke Health Care AB

• Medtronic

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment Market Report Scope

Global Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global diabetic foot ulcer treatment market report on the basis of treatment, ulcer type, end-use, and region:

• Treatment Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Wound Care Dressings

    • Alginate Dressings

    • Hydrofiber Dressings

    • Foam Dressings

    • Film Dressing

    • Hydrocolloid Dressings

    • Surgical Dressings

    • Hydrogel Dressings

  • Biologics

    • Growth Factors

    • Skin Grafts

  • Therapy Devices

    • Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

    • Ultrasound Therapy

  • Antibiotic Medications

  • Others

• Ulcer Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Neuropathic Ulcers

  • Ischemic Ulcers

  • Neuro-ischemic Ulcers

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hospitals

  • Ambulatory Imaging Center

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Poland

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE