School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 4-14-2025

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent a critical public health concern among Hispanic populations, contributing significantly to healthcare disparities and an elevated risk of amputations. Although Hispanic Americans account for 11.7% of the U.S. population with diabetes, they experience disproportionately higher rates of DFUs and amputations compared to non-Hispanic White individuals. Additionally, Hispanic adults exhibit lower rates of attempted revascularization, which exacerbates their susceptibility to severe complications. As the Hispanic population continues to grow, particularly in Texas, addressing DFU recurrence is crucial for improving clinical outcomes and reducing health inequities. This review evaluates evidence on DFU recurrence within Hispanic populations.

Methods: A scoping review was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Search terms included “diabetic foot ulcer” OR “diabetic foot syndrome” OR “DFU” AND “recurrence” AND “Hispanic.” The initial search yielded 961 articles published between 2020 and 2025, with 10 from PubMed and 951 from Google Scholar. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3 articles were analyzed for correlations between DR and DFU recurrence in Hispanic populations, however, upon full-text review, these final 3 did not meet eligibility requirements, resulting in 0 articles included in the final analysis.

Results: The literature reveals consistently higher DFU rates and amputation risks among Hispanic individuals. Moreover, lower revascularization rates among Hispanic adults correlate with increased amputation risks, even when controlling for DFU incidence. Despite valuable insights, the studies lacked detailed demographic data, including age, BMI, offloading practices, and HbA1c/type of diabetes. This data gap hinders the development of effective, targeted interventions. These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally sensitive healthcare strategies for this at-risk demographic.

Conclusion: Future research should focus on Hispanic populations to create tailored prevention strategies, reduce amputation rates, and enhance health outcomes for Hispanic individuals with diabetes.

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