Clinical outcomes of topical epidermal growth factor in diabetic foot ulcers

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 39 - 44, 14.02.2025

Levent Demir , Murat Kahraman , İbrahim Altun , Mustafa Avcı , Selahattin Kılıç , Sena Aslan

https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1600752

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of topical epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in outpatient settings. It also seeks to provide guidance on the use of topical EGF, which is eligible for reimbursement for treating DFUs in our country.
Methods: A retrospective analysis involved 55 patients with DFUs who received topical EGF treatment. Patients received training on EGF application and were monitored for healing outcomes. Data were collected from medical records, including demographic information, wound characteristics, and laboratory results. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25, employing chi-square, Pearson's correlation, and ANOVA tests to evaluate healing rates and associated factors.
Results: The study found that 70.9% of patients achieved complete wound closure within an average of 15.44 weeks. Healing rates were significantly higher for non-plantar wounds (83.8%) compared to plantar wounds (44.4%). Factors such as age, body weight, and body-mass index (BMI) were identified as influencing healing outcomes, with higher weights and BMI correlating with lower healing rates. Mild skin irritation was the only adverse effect reported.
Conclusion: Topical EGF demonstrates promising potential for enhancing the healing of DFUs in outpatient settings, achieving a healing rate comparable to specialized diabetic foot centers. The findings underscore the importance of considering patient specific factors, such as obesity and adherence to treatment recommendations, to optimize healing outcomes. Further research with larger, multi-center studies is necessary to validate these results and improve access to effective treatments for patients with DFUs.

Keywords

Diabetic foot ulcers, epidermal growth factor, wound healing

Ethical Statement

Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of Kayseri City Hospital, number 237, on November 05, 2024.

Thanks

We thank Mustafa Özturk for his valuable contribution.

Diyabetik ayak ülserlerinde topikal epidermal büyüme faktörünün klinik sonuçları

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, diyabetik ayak ülserlerinin (DFU) tedavisinde topikal epidermal büyüme faktörünün (EGF) klinik sonuçlarını değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Ayrıca, ülkemizde DFU'ların tedavisinde geri ödeme için uygun olan topikal EGF'nin kullanımı konusunda rehberlik sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır.
Yöntemler: Retrospektif analiz, topikal EGF tedavisi alan 55 DFU hastasını kapsamaktadır. Hastalar EGF uygulaması konusunda eğitim aldı ve iyileşme sonuçları açısından izlendi. Veriler demografik bilgiler, yara özellikleri ve laboratuvar sonuçları dahil olmak üzere tıbbi kayıtlardan toplandı. İstatistiksel analiz IBM SPSS versiyon 25 kullanılarak, iyileşme oranlarını ve ilişkili faktörleri değerlendirmek için ki-kare, Pearson korelasyon ve ANOVA testleri kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir.
Sonuçlar: Çalışmada hastaların %70,9'unda ortalama 15,44 hafta içinde tam yara kapanması sağlandı. İyileşme oranları plantar olmayan yaralarda (%83,8) plantar yaralara (%44,4) kıyasla anlamlı derecede yüksekti. Yaş, vücut ağırlığı ve vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ) gibi faktörlerin iyileşme sonuçlarını etkilediği, daha yüksek ağırlık ve VKİ'nin daha düşük iyileşme oranlarıyla korelasyon gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir. Hafif cilt tahrişi bildirilen tek yan etkiydi.
Sonuçlar: Topikal EGF, ayaktan tedavi ortamlarında DFU'ların iyileşmesini arttırmak için umut verici bir potansiyel göstermekte ve özel diyabetik ayak merkezleriyle karşılaştırılabilir bir iyileşme oranı elde etmektedir. Bulgular, iyileşme sonuçlarını optimize etmek için obezite ve tedavi önerilerine bağlılık gibi hastaya özgü faktörlerin dikkate alınmasının önemini vurgulamaktadır. Bu sonuçları doğrulamak ve DFU'lu hastaların etkili tedavilere erişimini iyileştirmek için daha büyük, çok merkezli çalışmalarla daha fazla araştırma yapılması gerekmektedir.

Keywords

diyabetik ayak ülseri, epidermal büyüme faktörü, yara iyileşmesi

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