Diabetes mellitus may lead to
amputation in 3 % of population. Risk for
amputation is 15 folds in diabetics compared with nondiabetics. The aim of the study is to compare the outcome of dressing a
diabetic foot ulcer with
epidermal growth factor with that of conventional dressing with
normal saline. The patients with
diabetic foot were divided into study and control groups of 20 each. In the study group,
epidermal growth factor (
EGF) gel was used as dressing; in control group, dressing was done with
normal saline. Treatment was given for 8 weeks or until
ulcer healed, whichever occurred first. Evaluation of healing response was recorded on 1, 3, 5, and 8 weeks. After the first week of dressing 90 % of the study group and 30 % of the control group patients showed decrease in
wound soakage, size, and increase in proliferation of healthy granulation tissue. After the eighth week of dressing in the study group, 80 % of the patients showed complete response to
EGF application. Whereas in control group only 35 % of the patients showed complete response. Duration of
hospital stay in the study group was lower as compared with the control group.
EGF dressing causes early healing up to first 5 weeks as compared with conventional dressing. The results in healing were not significantly different in two study groups after 8-week duration.
Hospital stay was lower in the study group as compared with the control group.