Effectiveness of Injected Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Disease.

ABSTRACT

Objectives Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become quite a popular course of treatment and has tremendous healing properties. Our research question inquired about the effectiveness of injected formula of PRP as the cure for diabetic foot ulcer in comparison to the conventional dressing. Methodology  A prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, between July 2020 to January 2021. Patients' data were collected from the department's database after taking approval from the department. In our study, the selected patients were categorized into two equal groups - i.e. 80 cases in each group and were randomized by using randomization allocation software. In group I (study group) patients received PRP (1 ml /1 cm2) around the wound edges and in the base of the ulcer, while group II (control group) patients were treated with conventional dressing. Each patient was inspected for wounds on days 0, 14, 28, 90, and 180 on the basis of Wagner's classification of wounds to assess efficacy. A proforma was used to collect the required data and then utilized electronically for research analysis. Results The mean ± SD of age was 54.4±8.56 and 57.7±10.1 years in the injected PRP (study) and conventional dressing (control) groups, respectively. Of the 30 patients, 13 (43.3%) males and 17 (56.7%) females were enrolled in the study group, while 14 (46.7%) males and 16 (53.3%) females were included in the control group. The PRP was found effective in reducing the wound in about 64 (80%) patients, while wound dressing was effective in 37 (46.25%) patients (p<0.0001). In female patients, the wound healing was significantly better in the study group as compared to the control group (p<0.0001). Moreover, in patients aged above 55 years, frequently higher rates of wound reduction were observed in the study group as compared to the control group (p<0.0001).  Conclusion The study concluded that injected PRP was significantly better than conventional dressing in the management of diabetic foot ulcer. More clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of injected PRP to validate the current findings.