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Risk Factors for Foot-Related Hospitalisations in Adults With and Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Sucharitha R Weerasuriya1, Chanika Alahakoon2,3, Nimantha Karunathilaka4,5
1Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Male sex, diabetes, kidney disease, neuropathy, artery disease, and poor footcare are key risks for foot hospitalizations. More research is needed for non-diabetic populations.
Area of Science:
- Podiatry
- Public Health
- Nephrology
Background:
- Foot-related conditions are a major cause of hospitalizations and amputations globally.
- Half of foot-related hospitalizations occur in individuals without diabetes.
- Risk factors for foot hospitalizations in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations are under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing studies on risk factors for foot-related hospitalizations.
- To investigate these risk factors across general adult populations, including those with and without diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed and Embase databases for studies published since January 1, 2000.
- Screened 7824 studies for eligibility, including risk of bias assessment and data extraction.
- Included 14 studies, with 12 focusing on diabetes populations and 2 on general populations.
Main Results:
- Identified 22 independent risk factors for foot disease-related hospitalizations.
- Eight risk factors were consistently reported across multiple studies and low risk of bias studies.
- Key risk factors include male sex, diabetes, high HbA1c, insulin use, chronic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, and lack of recent footcare.
Conclusions:
- Common risk factors for foot disease hospitalizations are male sex, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, and inadequate footcare, especially in diabetic individuals.
- Significant gaps exist in research on hospitalizations for non-disease-related foot conditions and in non-diabetic populations.
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