Asian Journal of Research in Surgery

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are challenging complications which result from pathophysiologic tissue changes in diabetes mellitus. These ulcers require appropriate dressings to boost their healing. Reports on the therapeutic efficacy of honey and povidone iodine stimulated the quest to enhance knowledge on effective and available dressing materials for DFU treatment.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of honey and povidone iodine dressings on the healing of Wagner Grade 2 DFU.

Study design: This was a randomized controlled trial comparing the rate of Wagner grade 2 DFU healing following of honey and povidone iodine dressings at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt over a year duration.

Methodology: Thirty subjects with Wagner grade 2 DFU were recruited (17 males; aged 47-65 years). Data on socio-demographics, HbA1c, ulcer contraction, exudate characteristics and oedema resolution were obtained and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean change in ulcer diameter was 0.69±0.17mm and 0.61±0.11 mm for the honey and povidone iodine groups respectively (p-value=0.062) in the first week, and 1.17±0.19mm and 1.08±0.16mm for the honey and povidone iodine groups respectively (p-value=0.124) in week 4. By week 5, all ulcers in the honey group were healed, while one ulcer lasted beyond week 6 in the povidone group.  The mean change in mid-foot circumference (MFC) was 0.62±0.52cm and 0.29±0.35cm for the honey and povidone iodine groups respectively (p-value 0.051), in week 2.

Conclusion: Honey and povidone iodine dressings have comparable healing effects in the treatment of Wagner 2 DFU, with the honey dressings being marginally more efficacious.