SynthesisPLoS neglected tropical diseases2019
Mapping the global distribution of podoconiosis: Applying an evidence consensus approach.
Synthesis in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 20 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
20 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 28 citations in OpenAlex.
- The health and economic burden of podoconiosis in East Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis of health outcomes with narrative synthesis of economic evidence.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Pooled it
- Associations between podoconiosis and pedogenic factors globally - A systematic review.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2025Pooled it
- The impact of podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis, and leprosy on disability and mental well-being: A systematic review.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2021Pooled it
- "My feet are no longer swollen": Testing a co-designed podoconiosis protective footwear among rural female farmers in Rwanda.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Individual identities and stigma inequalities: insights from the experience of people affected by podoconiosis in Rwanda.International journal for equity in health · 2025Article
- Current state and future directions of interventions for neglected tropical diseases.Nature human behaviour · 2025Review
- Podoconiosis in Uganda: prevalence, geographical distribution and risk factors.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2024Article
- Confirming non-endemicity of podoconiosis in Guatemala and in Idukki District in Kerala (India): a comparison of two approaches potentially suitable for other neglected tropical diseases.BMC global and public health · 2024Article
- Uncovering intersecting stigmas experienced by people affected by podoconiosis in Nyamasheke district, Rwanda.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2024Article
- Understanding transmission risk and predicting environmental suitability for Mayaro Virus in Central and South America.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2024Article
- Tropical leg lymphedema caused by podoconiosis is associated with increased colonisation by anaerobic bacteria.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- A geopositioned and evidence-graded pan-species compendium of Mayaro virus occurrence.Scientific data · 2023Article
- Geostatistical modelling of the distribution, risk and burden of podoconiosis in Kenya.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2023Article
- Epidemiology of podoconiosis in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.SAGE open medicine · 2023Review
- Surgical debulking of podoconiosis nodules and its impact on quality of life in Ethiopia.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2021Article
- A cross-sectional study to evaluate depression and quality of life among patients with lymphoedema due to podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis and leprosy.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2020Article
- A cross-sectional survey to assess the risk factors associated with stigmatizing attitudes towards patients with podoconiosis among rural youth in southern Ethiopia.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2020Article
- Podoconiosis: key priorities for research and implementation.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2020Article
- Developing consensus of evidence to target case finding surveys for podoconiosis: a potentially forgotten disease in India.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2020Article
- Predicting the environmental suitability and population at risk of podoconiosis in Africa.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2020Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
15 authors at 6 institutions in 5 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPodoconiosis is a type of elephantiasis characterised by swelling of the lower legs. It is often confused with other causes of tropical lymphedema and its global distribution is uncertain. Here we synthesise the available information on the presence of podoconiosis to produce evidence consensus maps of its global geographical distribution. METHODS AND
findingsWe systematically searched available data on podoconiosis in SCOPUS and MEDLINE from inception, updated to 10 May, 2019, and identified observational and population-based studies reporting podoconiosis. To establish existence of podoconiosis, we used the number of cases reported in studies and prevalence data with geographical locations. We then developed an index to assess evidence quality and reliability, assigning each country an evidence consensus score. Using these summary scores, we then developed a contemporary global map of national-level podoconiosis status. There is evidence of podoconiosis in 17 countries (12 in Africa, three in Latin America, and two in Asia) and consensus on presence in six countries (all in Africa). We have identified countries where surveillance is required to further define the presence or absence of podoconiosis. We have highlighted areas where evidence is currently insufficient or conflicting, and from which more evidence is needed.
conclusionThe global distribution of podoconiosis is not clearly known; the disease extent and limits provided here inform the best contemporary map of the distribution of podoconiosis globally from available data. These results help identify surveillance needs, direct future mapping activities, and inform prevention plans and burden estimation of podoconiosis.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.