Effectiveness of screening for foot complications in people with diabetes - A systematic review

Background: A quarter of people with diabetes develop foot ulcer in their lifetime and are six times more likely to require a major lower limb amputation compared to the general population. Risk stratification tools can reliably identify those at the highest risk of ulceration, but it remains unclear if screening for foot complications can prevent limb loss in people with diabetes.

Aims: The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether population-based foot screening in people with diabetes reduces lower limb complications as assessed by development of foot ulceration, minor and major lower limb amputations, hospitalisation, or death.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare and CINAHL databases were searched to identify randomised and non-randomised controlled trials and observational studies (cohort, case-control and cross-sectional surveys). The screening process, study quality assessment and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers.

Results: Following abstract screening and assessment for eligibility, five out of 10,771 identified studies were included in the analysis. Of these studies, one demonstrated 24 % reduction in development of new ulceration following introduction of screening. Major amputations decreased by between 17 and 96 % in three studies. Hospitalisation rates were contradictory, with one study showing doubling in hospital admissions and another one reduction by 33 %. One study demonstrated no impact of screening on minor or major amputation rates. None of the studies addressed the effect of foot screening on all-cause mortality.

Conclusions: The number and quality of studies to support population-based foot screening to prevent lower limb complications in people with diabetes is low. Current evidence suggests variable impact of screening on important clinical outcomes.