What does this research mean for the field?

Infrared thermography is a promising adjunctive tool for the early detection of diabetic foot infection, typically using a 2.2 °C temperature difference threshold, but current evidence does not support its use for monitoring infection severity or progression. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the diagnostic and monitoring utility of infrared thermography for diabetic foot infection.

September 8, 2026Infectious Disease ReportsOpen Access

The Role of Infrared Thermography in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Diabetic Foot Infection: A Systematic Review

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Authors

CCCarmen Cantarero-Lozano ATAroa Tardáguila‐García EGEsther García‐Morales

Discussion

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Overview

Systematic review reveals elevated skin temperature detects diabetic foot infection in patients with diabetes, suggesting utility for early diagnosis rather than ongoing monitoring.

Key Points

To evaluate the diagnostic and monitoring utility of infrared thermography for diabetic foot infection.
Conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, appraising methodological quality with QUADAS-2 and Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists.
Included six original studies (four observational and two pilot studies) encompassing 552 participants diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Elevated local skin temperature was consistently linked to acute diabetic foot infection, with multiple studies identifying a contralateral temperature difference of approximately 2.2 °C as a clinically relevant diagnostic threshold.
Plantar thermal asymmetry demonstrated no statistically significant association with the severity or healing progression of infected diabetic foot ulcers.
All six reviewed studies demonstrated a level of evidence of 4 and received a grade of recommendation of C.

Cite This Study

Cantarero-Lozano et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd7c658e84d0ff5b46bb3 https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18050098

View Full Paper

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September 8, 2026Infectious Disease ReportsOpen Access

The Role of Infrared Thermography in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Diabetic Foot Infection: A Systematic Review

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

CCCarmen Cantarero-Lozano ATAroa Tardáguila‐García EGEsther García‐Morales

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Systematic review reveals elevated skin temperature detects diabetic foot infection in patients with diabetes, suggesting utility for early diagnosis rather than ongoing monitoring.

Key Points

To evaluate the diagnostic and monitoring utility of infrared thermography for diabetic foot infection.
Conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, appraising methodological quality with QUADAS-2 and Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists.
Included six original studies (four observational and two pilot studies) encompassing 552 participants diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Elevated local skin temperature was consistently linked to acute diabetic foot infection, with multiple studies identifying a contralateral temperature difference of approximately 2.2 °C as a clinically relevant diagnostic threshold.
Plantar thermal asymmetry demonstrated no statistically significant association with the severity or healing progression of infected diabetic foot ulcers.
All six reviewed studies demonstrated a level of evidence of 4 and received a grade of recommendation of C.

Cite This Study

Cantarero-Lozano et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd7c658e84d0ff5b46bb3 https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18050098

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark