title: Manuka honey-impregnated dressings in the treatment of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers.
abstract: In this study, we investigate the effect of manuka honey-impregnated dressings (MHID) on the healing of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers (NDFU). A total of 63 Caucasians, type 2 diabetic patients followed up in the diabetic foot outpatient clinic comprised the study population. Patients were randomised in two groups as follows: group I patients were treated with MHID and group II patients were treated with conventional dressings (CD). The patients were followed up on a weekly basis for 16 weeks. Mean healing time was 31 ± 4 days in group I versus 43 ± 3 days in group II (P < 0·05). In group I patients 78·13% of ulcers became sterile during the first week versus 35·5% in group II patients; the corresponding percentages for weeks 2, 4 and 6 were 15·62% versus 38·7%, 6·25% versus 12·9% and 0% versus 12·9% respectively. The percent of ulcers healed did not differ significantly between groups (97% for MHID and 90% for CD). MHID represent an effective treatment for NDFU leading to a significant reduction in the time of healing and rapid disinfection of ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Center, Tzanio General Hospital, Piraeus, GreeceDepartment of Nursing, University of Peloponnese, Orthias Artemidos and Plateon, Sparta, Lakonia, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandros V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kamaratos
authors.forename: Konstantinos N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Tzirogiannis
authors.forename: Stella A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Iraklianou
authors.forename: Georgios I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Panoutsopoulos
authors.forename: Ilias E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Kanellos
authors.forename: Andreas I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Melidonis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006722:Honey; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D044465:White People; D014945:Wound Healing