Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) to enhance healing for diabetic foot ulcers.
This paper studies the healing effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) on chronic diabetic foot ulcers. A total of 89 patients (65 male and 24 female) aged from 36 to 82 years (average of 54) enrolled for the prospective, open-label trial, crossover study. Predetermined criteria were used for diagnosis and classification of ulcer. The average duration of ulcer was 6 months (range from 3 to 27 months) prior to study. Upon study, the ulcers were debrided and treated with hydrocolloid or composite dressing depending on the condition of the wound. If treatment effect was minimal using advanced dressing for 3 weeks, patients were crossed over to twice-a-day treatment with 0.005% EGF and advanced dressing. Among the patients, 21 patients showed improvement using hydrocolloid or composite dressing alone and 68 patients were crossed over to treatment with EGF and advanced dressing. In the EGF-treated patients, complete healing was noted in 52 patients within an average of 46 days (range from 2 to 14 weeks). Recurrence was not noted during the 6-month observation. But 5 patients showed new lesions different from the prior site. Sixteen patients required further interventions. This paper suggests that topical treatment with EGF combined with advanced dressing may have positive effects in promoting healing of chronic diabetic foot wounds.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. joonphong@amc.seoul.kr
Joon Pio
JP
Hong
Heun Don
HD
Jung
Yun Wha
YW
Kim
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014945:Wound Healing
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor