Prevalence, Incidence and Factors Associated with Diabetic Foot in People with Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Background: Diabetic Foot is a severe chronic complication of diabetes and an important factor in the morbidity of diabetic people, resulting in high health costs and increased risk of death. Objective: To analyze the incidence, prevalence, and risk factors associated with diabetic foot in people with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Method: Systematic literature review. Searches in MedLine via PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases were performed. Inclusion of 52 studies. The R program, Metan packages, was used to calculate the meta-analysis. Given the heterogeneity of studies, the random effect was used to calculate the meta-analysis of risk factors. Results: The meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of diabetic foot was 14% in a hospital setting and 5% in a community setting. The overall prevalence and incidence were 9% and 4%, respectively. Significant risk factors included time of DM (odds ratio [OR] =1.46, confidence interval [CI], 0.36-2.57, P = 0.009), smoking (OR = 1.46, CI, 1.16 -1.85, P< .001), glycated hemoglobin (OR = 0.96, CI, 0.50; 1.42, P< .001), peripheral arterial disease (OR = 3.38, CI, 2.07; 5.53, P < .001) and peripheral neuropathy (OR = 5.88, CI, 2.39-14.45, P<.001). Conclusion: Multidisciplinary monitoring, educational strategies, periodic foot examination for alterations, and early identification of risk factors are essential to prevent ulceration and reduce the disease burden.