Anxiety, depression, social isolation and quality of life in patients with diabetic foot syndrome: A systematic review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease associated with serious complications such as diabetic foot syndrome. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the existence of diabetic foot syndrome and the social life of patients, their quality of life and stress / depression.

Methodology: The systematic review was considered as the most appropriate type for the answer of the set goals. For its implementation, a thorough search was conducted in the Pubmed and Google Scholar databases, using specific keywords: "diabetic foot", "social isolation", "anxiety", "depression" in all possible combinations. The selected papers were published in English, and should have been published after 2015, and all surveys and meta-analyzes were rejected. Of the 689 surveys that met the initial criteria, only 11 were used.

Results: 4 studies were found and analyzed related to social isolation, 4 related to quality of life, and 3 related to stress and depression. Patients with diabetes develop numerous serious complications due to their disease. Also, people with higher levels of social isolation are significantly more likely to develop foot ulcers, while ulcer development and social isolation are associated with a higher mortality rate, especially among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions: Diabetic foot syndrome is a serious complication of diabetes with impending low quality of life, increased levels of anxiety and depression, and increased long-term mortality. At the same time, social isolation seems to be an independent predictor of long-term mortality and diabetic foot syndrome.

Keywords: Diabetic foot, social isolation, anxiety, depression, quality of life