Effectiveness of offloading interventions for people with diabetes-related foot ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Offloading treatment is crucial to heal diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFU). This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of offloading interventions for people with DFU. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and trials registries for all studies relating to offloading interventions in people with DFU to address 14 clinical question comparisons. Outcomes included ulcers healed, plantar pressure, weight-bearing activity, adherence, new lesions, falls, infections, amputations, quality of life, costs, cost-effectiveness, balance, and sustained healing. Included controlled studies were independently assessed for risk of bias and had key data extracted. Meta-analyses were performed when outcome data from studies could be pooled. Evidence statements were developed using the GRADE approach when outcome data existed. RESULTS: From 19,923 studies screened, 194 eligible studies were identified (47 controlled, 147 non-controlled), 35 meta-analyses performed, and 128 evidence statements developed. We found non-removable offloading devices likely increase ulcers healed compared to removable offloading devices (risk ratio [RR] 1.24, 95% CI 1.09-1.41; N = 14, n = 1083), and may increase adherence, cost-effectiveness and decrease infections, but may increase new lesions. Removable knee-high offloading devices may make little difference to ulcers healed compared to removable ankle-high offloading devices (RR 1.00, 0.86-1.16; N = 6, n = 439), but may decrease plantar pressure and adherence. Any offloading device may increase ulcers healed (RR 1.39, 0.89-2.18; N = 5, n = 235) and cost-effectiveness compared to therapeutic footwear and may decrease plantar pressure and infections. Digital flexor tenotomies with offloading devices likely increase ulcers healed (RR 2.43, 1.05-5.59; N = 1, n = 16) and sustained healing compared to devices alone, and may decrease plantar pressure and infections, but may increase new transfer lesions. Achilles tendon lengthening with offloading devices likely increase ulcers healed (RR 1.10, 0.97-1.27; N = 1, n = 64) and sustained healing compared to devices alone, but likely increase new heel ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Non-removable offloading devices are likely superior to all other offloading interventions to heal most plantar DFU. Digital flexor tenotomies and Achilles tendon lengthening in combination with offloading devices are likely superior for some specific plantar DFU locations. Otherwise, any offloading device is probably superior to therapeutic footwear and other non-surgical offloading interventions to heal most plantar DFU. However, all these interventions have low-to-moderate certainty of evidence supporting their outcomes and more high-quality trials are needed to improve our certainty for the effectiveness of most offloading interventions.

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials reporting the effect of home foot temperature monitoring, patient education or offloading footwear on the incidence of diabetes-related foot ulcers.

AIM: The aim of this study was to perform an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy of home foot temperature monitoring, patient education and offloading footwear in reducing the incidence of diabetes-related foot ulcers. METHODS: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane databases to identify relevant original studies. Meta-analyses were performed using intention-to-treat principals for worst (main analysis) and best (sub-analysis) case scenarios. Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were used to assess the consistency of findings. RESULTS: Of 7575 unique records, 17 RCTs involving 2729 participants were included. Four tested home foot temperature monitoring (n = 468), six examined patient education (n = 823) and seven assessed offloading footwear (n = 1438). Participants' who performed home foot temperature monitoring [odds ratio (OR) 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31 to 0.84; n = 468] and those provided offloading footwear (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.80; n = 1438) were less likely to develop a diabetes-related foot ulcer. Patient education programmes did not significantly reduce diabetes-related foot ulcer incidence (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.20; n = 823). Sensitivity analyses suggested that offloading footwear findings were consistent, but home foot temperature findings were dependent on the individual inclusion of one trial. All RCTs had either high or unclear risk of bias. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that offloading footwear is effective in reducing the incidence of diabetes-related foot ulcers. Home foot temperature monitoring also appears beneficial but larger trials are needed (PROSPERO registration no.: CRD42019135226).

Diabetes-related lower-extremity complications are a leading cause of the global burden of disability.

Globally ~435 million people have diabetes [1], and an estimated 19-34% (~83-148 million people) of those will be expected to develop foot ulcers in their lifetime [2]. Foot ulcers are typically precipitated by other diabetes-related lower-extremity complications, (DRLECs) including peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease [2,3]. Collectively, DRLECs are a leading cause of infection, hospitalization and amputation outcomes [2-5], yet, these outcomes are readily preventable with evidence-based care [6,7]. This suggests the burden caused by DRLECs is a large, yet reducible, cause of the global burden of disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

[Kidney involvement in rheumatoid arthritis]. / Coinvolgimento renale in corso di artrite reumatoide.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a widespread disease and its renal involvement, relatively common, is clinically significant because worsens course and mortality of the primary disease. There is still no agreement on the prevalence of renal disorders in RA: data analysis originates from different sources, as death certificates, autopsies, clinical and laboratory findings and kidney biopsies, each with its limitations. Histoimmunological studies on bioptical specimens of patients with RA and kidney damage, led to clarify prevalent pathologies. In order of frequency: glomerulonephritis and amyloidosis (60-65% and 20-30% respectively), followed by acute or chronic interstitial nephritis. Kidney injury during RA includes secondary renal amyloidosis, nephrotoxic effects of antirheumatic drugs and nephropathies as extra-articular manifestations (rheumatoid nephropathy). Amyloidosis affects survival, increases morbidity and is the main cause of end stage renal disease in patients with RA and nephropathy. Strong association between RA activity and amyloidosis needs the use of immunosuppressive and combined therapies, to prevent this complication and reduce risk of dialysis. Long-lasting and combined RA pharmacotherapy involves various renal side effects. In this review we describe NSAIDs and DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs) nephrotoxicity, particularly by gold compounds, D-penicillamine, cyclosporine A and methotrexate. Rare cases of IgA glomerulonephritis during immunomodulating therapy with leflunomide and TNF blocking receptor (etanercept) are reported; real clinical significance of this drug-related nephropathy will be established by development of RA treatment. In RA nephropathies, mesangial glomerulonephritis is the most frequent histological lesion (35-60 % out of biopsies from patients with urinary abnormalities and/or kidney impairment), followed by minimal change glomerulopathy (3-14%) and p-ANCA positive necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis.