Diabetic Foot Ulcer in the Latin America and Caribbean Region: A Narrative Review

Abstract Background Increasing diabetes burden within the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region will inevitably increase the rates of diabetes-related complications such as diabetic foot ulceration (DFU). Data concerning diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region is sparse, and no comprehensive study of empirical findings has been disseminated. The current study reviews existing literature to summarize findings for epidemiology and disease burden of DFU in the LAC region and identify current knowledge gaps.Methods A systematized search of peer-reviewed literature published between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2023, was conducted in five databases (EMBASE, PUBMED, EBSCO, DART, and CARPHAS) using initial and expanded search strategies. Only studies with full text in English were included and two researchers (LL and NG) independently, reviewed the retrieved references extracting relevant studies by titles and then abstract with subsequent discussion of any differences. Potentially eligible studies were retrieved as full text, reviewed and study quality commented according to critical appraisal guidelines. Key thematic information from the review was extracted and is presented here as a brief narrative summary supported by contextual data from other peer-reviewed literature.Results Our search resulted in twenty-one studies fitting the selection criteria that were identified from four Caribbean countries (Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago) and eight Latin American countries of (Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru). Diabetic foot ulcer prevalence ranged from 2.8–14.7%, with identified outcomes of lower extremity amputation associated with infection and poor glycemic control. Risk factors for DFU identified included increased diabetes duration, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and neuroischaemic foot.Conclusions This paper highlighted the lack of studies on DFU incidence, prevalence and outcomes within the LAC region which is insufficient to inform health policy for the region.