Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41721498›Full record

ArticleDiabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association2026

Beyond the wound: A scoping review of the psychosocial impact of diabetes-related foot ulcers.

Michelle Hanlon, Brian E McGuire, Claire MacGilchrist, Ellen Kirwan, Deirdre Ní Neachtain, Ketan Dhatariya, Virginie Blanchette, Hannah Durand, Anda Dragomir, Caroline McIntosh

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Michelle HanlonSchool of Psychology & Centre for Pain Research, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Brian E McGuireSchool of Psychology & Centre for Pain Research, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Claire MacGilchristDiscipline of Podiatric Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Ellen KirwanDiscipline of Podiatric Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1169-8232
Deirdre Ní NeachtainIndependent PPI Representative, Galway, Ireland.
Ketan DhatariyaElsie Bertram Diabetes Centre, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3619-9579
Virginie BlanchetteDepartment of Human Kinetics and Podiatric Medicine, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.
Hannah DurandDivision of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK.
Anda DragomirMontreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Caroline McIntoshDiscipline of Podiatric Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.

Funding

Health Research Board
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo explore the emotional consequences of diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFUs) and examine the psychosocial factors that influence their progression, management and self care behaviours.

methodsA systematic scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's six-stage framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR standards. Studies were eligible if they examined emotional or psychosocial experiences of adults living with DFUs.

resultsForty-nine studies were included: 28 cross sectional, 13 qualitative, 5 prospective, 2 randomized controlled trials and 1 case study. Individuals with DFUs experienced heightened emotional distress and substantially reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL), largely due to physical limitations, challenges in diabetes self management and fear of future complications. Key psychosocial influences included low self-efficacy, feelings of powerlessness, loss of independence and perceived burdensomeness. Disparities related to gender, socio-economic status and cultural background further shaped emotional outcomes and self care behaviours.

conclusionsPsychosocial factors substantially influence emotional well-being, treatment adherence and wound healing in people living with DFUs. Integrating psychosocial assessment, tailored education and emotional support into standard care may improve outcomes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Routine psychological screening, health literacy-sensitive education and multidisciplinary counselling should be incorporated into DFU management to enhance self care and quality of life.

Indexed as

Diabetic FootQuality of LifeSelf CareHumansSelf EfficacyWound Healingbehaviour changediabetes‐related foot ulcerhealth literacyperson‐centred educationpsychosocial factorsself care

Identifiers

PMID41721498
PMCPMC12982655

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.