Abstract (EN):
BACKGROUND: Foot complications in patients with diabetes are common. The use of thermal imaging to assess diabetic foot patients has been growing in popularity. However, the use of thermal imaging in this population has not been systematically reviewed, which would inform healthcare professionals, improve patient management, and guide the need for future research. The aim of this protocol is to present a transparent methodology to review the existing literature reporting the use of thermal imaging in the management of patients with diabetic foot. METHODOLOGY: We will search electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews. Two reviewers will be involved in the process of searching, study selection, data extraction and study quality assessment. A qualitative synthesis and, if homogenous group of studies will be found, a meta-analysis will be performed. DISCUSSION: This systematic review and eventual meta-analysis will critically appraise the literature reporting the use of thermal imaging in the management of patients with diabetic foot and will summarize it.Abetter understanding on this topic will be helpful to inform healthcare professionals, improve patient management and in the development of future research.
Language:
English
Type (Professor's evaluation):
Scientific