Ryan EC, et al. - A total of 137 diabetic persons admitted to the hospital with Infectious Diseases Society of America moderate and severe diabetic foot infections (DFIs) were retrospectively analyzed in order to evaluate whether systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was related to outcomes in DFIs. No variations in persons with severe infections defined by SIRS vs moderate infections in the requirement for surgery, any amputation, leg amputations, duration of antibiotics, or healing within 1 year was noted. The only outcome variable that was significantly distinct in severe infections was the length of hospital stay. In moderate infections, foot-related readmission was more prevalent. In summary, in diabetic persons with skin and soft tissue infections, SIRS criteria for severe infections were not related to a distinction in outcomes other than a longer hospital stay.