Bathena Sobha Rani1, Gandikota Venkata Prakash2, Budamala Sarada3, Bharath Kumar Desu4, Yadhu Krishnan5
BACKGROUND
Diabetic patients have reduced ability to metabolize glucose resulting in elevated
blood sugar levels which further burdens the wound healing process. This leads to
non-healing chronic ulcers. The sufferers of chronic diabetic foot ulcers are
increasing globally due to lack of preventive and control measures. Sucralfate has
been demonstrated in molecular studies to enhance the granulation tissue
proliferation and thus promoting ulcer healing in the skin. Various clinical studies
have also showed the efficacy of sucralfate in complete healing of the wound and
in reducing the size of the wound. The purpose of this study was to compare the
efficacy of topical sucralfate with that of povidone iodine dressing, in the healing
of diabetic ulcers.
METHODS
This is a randomized comparative study. Among 100 patients, 50 patients received
treatment in the form of povidone iodine dressings and 50 took treatment with
sucralfate dressing. The patient underwent a detailed clinical examination.
Relevant investigations were also done. The initial wound area was recorded after
thorough debridement by measuring length x width. Both the groups underwent
dressings once daily. The patients were followed up daily for a period of 3 weeks
in both the groups.
RESULTS
In this study, the mean ± SD area of reduction of the ulcer was observed to be
higher in sucralfate group 54.17 ± 10.08 than the povidone iodine group 16.07 ±
4.19. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for the
mean of area reduction (P < 0.0001, significant).
CONCLUSIONS
The ulcers in subjects treated with sucralfate dressing (S group) contracted more
than the ulcers in the patients treated with povidone iodine (P group) (54.17 %
Vs 16.07 %; P = < 0.0001, significant) which points out that sucralfate dressing
is an effective modality in helping the reduction of wound area in patients with
diabetic foot ulcers.
