Diabetic ankle fracture complications: a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Diabetology
• Public Health

Background:

• Ankle fractures present unique challenges in diabetic patients.
• Understanding complication rates is crucial for risk stratification and management.
• Identifying high-risk subgroups can guide preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review complication rates in diabetic patients undergoing ankle fracture treatment.
• To identify specific patient subgroups at elevated risk for adverse outcomes.
• To inform clinical practice for minimizing complications in this population.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive meta-analysis of studies published up to March 2018.
• Inclusion of twelve studies meeting predefined eligibility criteria.
• Calculation of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for complication risks.

Main Results:

• Diabetic patients exhibit a twofold higher overall complication risk (OR 1.9) post-ankle fracture compared to non-diabetics.
• Surgical intervention increases complication risk significantly (OR 3.7) versus non-surgical methods.
• Infection risk is threefold higher (OR 3.4) in diabetics, escalating with advanced diabetes (OR 8.4).

Conclusions:

• Diabetic patients are at a substantially increased risk of complications following ankle fracture treatment.
• Advanced diabetes and surgical interventions are key factors contributing to higher complication rates.
• This evidence underscores the need for tailored management protocols for diabetic individuals with ankle fractures.