Can thermography predict diabetic foot ulcer risk in patients with diabetes mellitus? A systematic review

Divyeshz Thakku Sivakumar; Bridget Murray; Zena Moore; Declan Patton; Tom O'Connor; Pinar Avsar

doi:10.1016/j.jtv.2024.06.018

Can thermography predict diabetic foot ulcer risk in patients with diabetes mellitus? A systematic review

J Tissue Viability. 2024 Jun 29:S0965-206X(24)00093-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jtv.2024.06.018. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Divyeshz Thakku Sivakumar¹, Bridget Murray², Zena Moore³, Declan Patton⁴, Tom O'Connor⁵, Pinar Avsar⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: [email protected].
² School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; School of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Skin Wounds and Trauma Research Centre, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ School of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Skin Wounds and Trauma Research Centre, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Fakeeh College of Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium; Lida Institute, Shanghai, China; University of Wales, Cardiff, UK; National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Wiser Wound Care, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Queensland, Australia; Honorary Senior Fellow, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ School of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Skin Wounds and Trauma Research Centre, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Fakeeh College of Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Honorary Senior Fellow, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; School of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Skin Wounds and Trauma Research Centre, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Fakeeh College of Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia; Lida Institute, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; School of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Skin Wounds and Trauma Research Centre, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39025743
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2024.06.018

Abstract

Background: There is a growing prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in patients with diabetes mellitus and the use of thermography has sparked interest in a non-invasive diagnostic method for early DFU risk assessment and management.

Aim: This systematic review aims to assess the use of thermography in predicting diabetic foot ulcer risk in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: A systematic search of publications using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases was conducted in April 2023, and relevant articles were reviewed. Data was extracted and a narrative synthesis was undertaken. The evidence-based librarianship (EBL) checklist assessed the methodological quality of the studies included. Reviewing these articles to the primary and secondary outcomes of this literature review. The primary outcome focused on the predictive capabilities of thermography for DFU prediction, while the secondary outcome assessed the feasibility, usability, and effectiveness of thermography.

Results: Eight studies were conducted from 1994 to 2021 with an emphasis on the predictability of thermography in predicting DFU risk. All eight studies focused on temperature variations associated with DFU development. Six of the included studies compared the effectiveness of DFU occurrence in diabetic patients and non-DFU use. The overall results showed that employing thermography in DFU prevention might allow for early detection and intervention, offering a non-invasive and effective means to reduce the risk of DFU development and its associated complications in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: The systematic review indicates that thermography holds promise for predicting DFU risk, with studies showcasing predictive capabilities and patient benefits. Despite some challenges and limitations, the evidence suggests thermography's value in assessing DFU risk in diabetes patients, warranting further research on device types and locations.

Keywords: Diabetic foot ulcer; Prediction; Systematic review; Thermography; Wound care.

Publication types

Review