Diabetes related foot disease remains one of the most serious and costly complications of diabetes in Australia. It affects thousands of people every year and contributes to long hospital stays, reduced quality of life and, in severe cases, amputation. These outcomes weigh heavily on individuals, families and the health system. They also reinforce our commitment at Diabetes Research WA to invest in research that delivers real change.
At our annual Grant Award Breakfast on 19 November, we were proud to announce Dr Pamela Chen as the recipient of the 2026 Diabetes Research WA Grant. Dr Chen is a senior podiatrist at Fiona Stanley Hospital and part of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to preventing and treating diabetes related foot ulcers. Her pilot project explores a promising technique called autofluorescence imaging, which may improve healing rates for people with hard to heal foot ulcers.
Reflecting on the significance of the work, Dr Chen shared,
“Foot disease in diabetes is often overlooked, yet it affects so many people. If we can find ways to improve healing even slightly, it has the potential to change lives.”
Why this research matters
Diabetes related foot disease affects nearly half a million Australians. Each year, around one in ten people with diabetes experience a hospital admission due to foot complications. Sadly, more than 6,000 Australians will lose part of their foot or leg as a result of a diabetes related ulcer. The condition is complex, difficult to treat and costly. It takes an estimated 2.7 billion dollars out of the Australian health system each year. In Western Australia alone, the burden sits at roughly 280 million dollars.
Healing outcomes remain challenging. Fewer than 30 percent of diabetes related foot ulcers in Australia heal within twelve weeks under current standard care. These ulcers often carry a high bacterial load, which slows healing, increases the risk of infection and raises the likelihood of amputation.
This is where Dr Chen’s work offers genuine hope.
Img src: Diabetes Feet Australia
Understanding autofluorescence
Autofluorescence imaging is a relatively new technique that uses safe ultraviolet light to detect bacteria in a wound. Certain bacteria produce substances that glow red or cyan under this light, giving clinicians immediate information about bacterial activity.
At present, dressing choices for diabetes related foot ulcers are based on broad principles such as comfort, moisture control and cost. Silver based antimicrobial dressings are widely used, yet evidence supporting their effectiveness in diabetes related ulcers is limited. International guidelines often recommend avoiding them unless there are clear signs of infection.
Autofluorescence may help guide these decisions more precisely. Early studies suggest that using this imaging to direct cleaning and treatment could improve healing outcomes. By identifying bacterial activity quickly and visually, clinicians may be able to target antimicrobial dressings only when they are likely to help.
About the project
Dr Chen and her team will run a pilot randomised controlled trial known as the AURA study. It will involve people with diabetes related foot ulcers that have not improved with standard care. Participants will be screened using autofluorescence imaging.
- If the ulcer shows no autofluorescence signal, participants will receive a standard inert dressing.
- If the ulcer shows a positive signal, participants will be randomised to receive either a targeted antimicrobial dressing or an inert dressing.
The team will follow participants for twelve weeks and measure healing, changes in bacterial load, quality of life and cost effectiveness. The goal is to assess whether a larger, multisite clinical trial is feasible.
Dr Chen highlighted the broader ambition of the research, sharing,
“The goal is for this to be embedded in an MRFF or an NHMRC clinical trials grant. That thank you again to DRWA for making this possible. I’m very appreciative of your support of our work.”
What success could mean for Western Australians
If this pilot demonstrates that autofluorescence guided treatment improves healing, the benefits could be far reaching.
- More precise and effective wound care
- Reduced use of unnecessary antimicrobial dressings
- Lower treatment costs for health services
- A clearer path to preventing avoidable amputations
- Faster adoption in clinical practice due to the availability of the device in Australia
Autofluorescence devices are already used in some Australian clinical settings, so translation into everyday care could occur more quickly than with many emerging technologies.
Investing in research that creates change
Dr Chen’s project reflects the mission of Diabetes Research WA. We support research that is practical, innovative and grounded in improving outcomes for people living with diabetes. This pilot study has the potential to reshape how clinicians assess and treat diabetes related foot ulcers across Western Australia and beyond.
We congratulate Dr Chen and her team and look forward to following their progress. Research of this nature requires dedication, collaboration and a strong sense of purpose. It is made possible only through the generosity of our donors and the support of our community.
To learn more about our research program or to support our work, please contact our team.
