The Prognostic Value of Transcutaneous Oxygen Pressure (TcPO2) in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing: A Protocol for a Systematic Review

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Due to poor perfusion, diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) create hypoxic environments, and their chronicity represents a negative factor in wound healing. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) is a non-invasive method that provides information on oxygen supply to microvascular circulation, useful for determining the severity and progression of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as well as potentially predicting DFU healing. However, the current literature does not provide strong support for the use of TcPO2 as an independent predictive tool. Methods: This protocol aims to systematically review the available evidence according to PRISMA (2020) guidelines, registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number: CRD42024505907). The following databases will be used: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Ovid Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science. Additionally, a manual search will be conducted through the references of the included articles. Results: The systematic review will summarize the current evidence on the prognostic value of TcPO2 in DFU healing, identifying gaps in knowledge and potential areas for future research. Conclusions: The findings of this study may clarify the prognostic value of TcPO2 in DFU healing, which could ultimately facilitate clinical management, decision-making, patient care, and potentially reduce treatment costs.