In-shoe pressure thresholds for people with diabetes and neuropathy at risk of ulceration: A systematic review

Introduction: In-shoe pressure thresholds play an increasingly important role in the prevention of diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU). The evidence of their effectiveness, methodological consistency and scope for refinement are the subject of this review. Methods: 1107 records were identified (after duplicate removal) based on a search of five databases for studies which applied a specific in-shoe pressure threshold to reduce the risk of ulceration. 37 full text studies were assessed for eligibility of which 21 were included. Results: Five in-shoe pressure thresholds were identified, which are employed to reduce the risk of diabetes-related foot ulceration: a mean peak pressure threshold of 200 kPa used in conjunction with a 25% baseline reduction target; a sustained pressure threshold of 35 mm Hg, a threshold matrix based on risk, shoe size and foot region, and a 40–80% baseline pressure reduction target. The effectiveness of the latter two thresholds have not been assessed yet and the evidence for the effectiveness of the other in-shoe pressure thresholds is limited, based only on two RCTs and two cohort studies. Conclusions: The heterogeneity of current measures precludes meta-analysis and further research and methodological standardisation is required to facilitate ready comparison and the further development of these pressure thresholds.