RESUMEN
AIMS: Research in diabetes-related foot conditions (DRFC) often focuses on ulcer-related care, whilst the patient experience and influence of sociodemographic factors are under-researched. This systematic review investigated patient-reported outcomes and experience in people with DRFC. METHODS: Multiple databases were searched from inception to 16 August 2023. All original articles that assessed any patient-reported outcome or experience in DRFC and reported participant ethnicity were included. Data were synthesized using a sequential contingent approach. Study quality was assessed using study design-specific tools. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included (11 qualitative, 11 quantitative and one mixed-methods). DRFC had a largely negative impact on various life dimensions, including social and daily life, work, emotional and psychological well-being, necessitating dependence on others in the form of emotional, social and/or religious support, which were experienced differently by different groups. Patient DRFC knowledge and self-care habits were typically suboptimal, and levels of hope and feeling of control over their condition varied between groups. Outcomes varied slightly between ethnicities across studies, with some ethnicity-specific themes identified such as beliefs about disease cause and footwear habits. Quantitative and qualitative findings were mostly congruent. CONCLUSIONS: DRFC profoundly and negatively impacts patient-reported outcomes and experience, with limited evidence suggesting an influence of ethnicity.
RESUMEN
AIMS: Amongst elderly people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) over prescribing can result in emergency ambulance call-outs, falls and fractures and increased mortality, particularly in frail patients. Current clinical guidelines, however, remain focused on medication intensification rather than deintensification where appropriate. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an electronic decision-support system and training for the deintensification of potentially inappropriate medications amongst older frail people with T2D, when compared to 'usual' care at 12-months. METHODS: This study is an open-label, multi-site, two-armed pragmatic cluster-randomised trial. GP practices randomised to the 'enhanced care' group have an electronic decision support system installed and receive training on the tool and de-intensification of diabetes medications. The system flags eligible patients for possible deintensification of diabetes medications, linking the health care professional to a clinical algorithm. The primary outcome will be the number of patients at 12-months who have had potentially inappropriate diabetes medications de-intensified. RESULTS: Study recruitment commenced in June 2022. Data collection commenced in January 2023. Baseline data have been extracted from 40 practices (3145 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Digital technology, involving computer decision systems, may have the potential to reduce inappropriate medications and aid the process of de-intensification. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN53221378. Available at: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN53221378.
