title: Topical application of insulin in the treatment of decubitus ulcers: a pilot study.
abstract: To test the hypothesis that there will be a significantly greater increase in the rate of healing of decubitus ulcers in subjects who receive topical insulin therapy than in subjects who receive other forms of therapy, a pilot study was conducted, utilizing a two-group before and after design. Decubitus ulcers of six experimental group subjects were treated with a topical application of ten units of regular insulin twice a day for five days; eight control group subjects received one of a variety of topical therapies other than insulin. Data were collected on all subjects for a 15-day period. Although generalizations cannot be based on the results of 14 subjects, data analysis showed that insulin was a safe and effective agent in the healing of small, uncomplicated decubitus ulcers. The results appear to warrant a more extensive study of the subject.
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012107:Research Design; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin