The global diabetic foot ulcer market is expected to reach US$ 12,242.77 million in 2030 from US$ 7,470.60 million in 2022. The market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 6.4% from 2022 to 2030.
The key factors driving the market's growth are high prevalence of diabetes and related chronic wounds and the surge in geriatric population. However, high cost of advanced wound care treatments is hampering the market's growth to a certain extent.
Market Opportunities of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Market
Diabetic foot ulcer is a type of chronic wound that often leads to complications and challenges surgeons to manage such injuries. With the significant growth in the patient pool suffering from chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, the need for a systematic treatment approach has accelerated, encouraging the adoption of evidence-based treatment to make wound care effective. Several research and clinical trials related to chronic wound management have demonstrated that bioactive wound care products help heal moist wounds more effectively than traditional wound care products. The active participation of government bodies and research organizations is promoting advancements in wound care treatments. For instance, in June 2021, Cynata Therapeutics Limited, an Australian clinical-stage stem cell and regenerative medicine company, signed a license agreement with TekCyte to advance clinical trials in diabetic foot ulcers. In December 2021, a clinical trial on its Cymerus mesenchymal stem cell product used to treat diabetic foot ulcers was launched by Cynata Therapeutics. Similarly, in June 2022, Smith+Nephew announced a new R&D facility for its advanced wound management franchise on the outskirts of Hull, UK. Smith+Nephew invested over US$ 100 million to create a world-class R&D and flexible office environment. A grant from the UK government also supports the development. Thus, the growing research activities and initiative by players will provide lucrative opportunities for the market growth.
Factors Hampering Diabetic Foot Ulcer Market
According to Integra LifeSciences Corporation, the cost of diabetic foot ulcers treatment has an enormous burden on the US healthcare system—ranging between US$ 9 and US$ 13 billion annually. According to the data published by the University of Huddersfield, the cost of treating health care associated infections (HCAIs), particularly surgical site infections (SSIs), has been estimated to represent £1 billion (~US$ 1.26 billion) in the UK. Further, according to Diabetes Australia, diabetes-associated limb amputation costs nearly US$ 23,555, with an additional annual expense of US$ 6,065 post surgery. Over five years, diabetes-related amputation amounts to almost US$ 50,000 for the health system, excluding social costs. The area of a wound and the complexity of procedures also determine the cost of the treatment.
The cost of diabetic foot ulcer treatment is also high in Asia Pacific countries such as India, China, and South Korea. According to a study published in 2022 by Elsevier, the cost of diabetic foot ulcer treatment is ~US$ 21,372/patient in China covering amputations, hospitalizations and medical treatments. Similarly, in India, the cost is around ~US$ 19,599/patient including antibiotics, neuropathic drugs, dressings, collagen scaffolds, growth factors, negative pressure wound therapy, and surgery. Thus, the high cost of advanced wound care treatments, despite the availability of reimbursements, is a key factor restraining the diabetic foot ulcer market growth globally.
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Market: Segmental Overview
The global diabetic foot ulcer market, by treatment type, is segmented into advanced wound care dressings, biologics, and therapy device. The advanced wound care dressings segment held the largest market share in 2022. Major benefits of advanced wound care dressings over traditional methods are associated with the use of gauze and tape. These components of advanced wound care dressings aid in faster healing with fewer issues regarding drainage, and lower risk of accompanying infection. The biologics segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during 2022–2030.
The global diabetic foot ulcer market, by ulcer type, is segmented into neuropathic ulcers, ischemic ulcers, neuro-ischemic ulcers. The neuro-ischemic ulcers segment held the largest market share in 2022 and the same segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. Neuro-ischemia predominately leads to the development of ulcers on the foot, toes, and dorsum margins, especially on pressure sites occurring among people using poorly fitting shoes. The management of such types of wounds is comparatively complex. The wound requires prompt care, appropriate footwear, offloading, dressings, and infection treatment. Neuro-ischemic ulcers are the most common diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).
The global diabetic foot ulcer market, by infection severity, is segmented into moderate, mild, and severe. The mild segment held the largest market share in 2022 and the same segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period (2022–2030). The global diabetic foot ulcer market, by end user, is segmented into ambulatory surgical centers, hospitals, and home care. The hospital segment held the largest market share in 2022 and the same segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. Hospitals are complex organizations that provide healthcare services to people using complex but specialized scientific equipment. Hospitals appoint trained staff members that are educated in the problems of modern medical science. Hospitals offer advanced treatment options for patients suffering from chronic and hard-to-heal wounds. Most of the surgeries on chronic wounds are performed in hospitals, owing to the continuous patient care and monitoring offered in these facilities post-surgery. Thus, the hospital segment is expected to grow.
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Market: Geographical Overview
In North America, the US is the largest market for diabetic foot ulcers, primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the country. As per the American Podiatric Medical Association, in the US, nearly 14–24% of patients with diabetes who develop foot ulcers require an amputation. According to the Health Innovation Program, ~2 million people in America develop a diabetic foot ulcer annually. Furthermore, according to a study published in NCBI in 2022, ~5% of patients in the US with diabetes mellitus develop foot ulcers, and 1% end up with an amputation.
The growing geriatric population in the region also boosts the market growth. According to the Administration on Aging (US Department of Health and Human Services) report published in 2022, there were 55.7 million people aged 65 and above in 2020 in the US. The old age group represents 17% of the population, i.e., 1 in every 6 Americans. As per estimates by the Urban Institute (Washington, DC-based think tank), the number of people aged 65 and older will double over the next 40 years, reaching 80 million in 2040 in the US. Additionally, In 2020, diabetes is regarded as among the leading chronic conditions among adults aged 65 and above. In recent years, several joint ventures, initiatives, and collaborations contributed in accelerating the diabetic foot ulcers market expansion in North America. For instance, in 2020, six research institutions in the US launched the first-ever multicenter network funded by the National Institutes of Health to study diabetic foot ulcers in the US. Additionally, the Diabetic Foot Canada program was launched in Canada to prevent diabetic foot complications. Thus, the high prevalence of diabetes and the increasing geriatric population will drive the market growth in the region.
A few of the major primary and secondary sources referred to while preparing the report on the diabetic foot ulcer market are the World Bank Data, National Health Service (NHS), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), EMA (European Medicines Agency), and WHO (World Health Organization).