Foot disease and physical function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

To systematically assess the literature examining the association between foot disease (foot ulceration, infection, critical ischaemia and/or Charcot neuroarthropathy) and physical function in older adults.

Literature search of MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL was performed. Studies were included if foot disease and physical function were assessed in participants of mean or median age ≥ 65 years.

Of 2,574 abstracts screened, 19 studies (13 longitudinal, 6 cross-sectional) reporting on 5634 participants, 43% female, were included. Diabetes-related foot disease and critical ischaemia were most studied (n = 5017, 40% female). In 8 studies with control groups, foot disease was associated with poorer physical function. Meta-analysis of 5 studies (n = 1503, 45% female) found an association between foot disease and poorer physical function (SMD (95% CI): 1.00 (0.40, 1.62), P < 0.001).

Foot disease is associated with poorer physical function in older adults. Future research should include broader study populations and intervention strategies.