Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Nov-Dec;37(11&12):608-615.
doi: 10.1097/ASW.0000000000000229.

Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Paul T Gomez  1 , Karen L Andrews, Jennifer R Arthurs, Alison J Bruce, Saranya P Wyles
Affiliations
Review

Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Paul T Gomez et al. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2024 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Chronic nonhealing neuropathic foot ulcers affect approximately 15% to 30% of patients with diabetes mellitus and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although current strategies to address these chronic wounds include a multifactorial approach, clinical outcomes remain poor and warrant improvement. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), derived from autologous or allogeneic blood, is an emerging regenerative product that aims to serve as an adjuvant to standard diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) treatment.

Objective: To examine controlled clinical trials investigating the efficacy of platelet-rich therapies in promoting healing of chronic DFUs.

Data sources: The PubMed/MEDLINE database.

Study selection: Researchers selected 11 controlled clinical trials published between 2011 and 2021 that investigated the efficacy of PRP treatments for chronic DFUs.

Data extraction: Extracted data included study type and size, participant sex and age, duration of diabetes, glycated hemoglobin levels, baseline ulcer area, wound duration, healing parameters, PRP preparation approach, and application type.

Data synthesis: Randomized prospective studies (n = 8), prospective controlled studies (n = 2), and a double-blind, randomized controlled study (n = 1) were included in the review. In general, PRP plus standard of care provided superior wound healing, in both percentage of wound closure and healing rate, compared with standard of care alone.

Conclusions: Use of PRP as an adjuvant for healing chronic DFUs appears to improve wound healing. Further research on optimizing PRP preparation and exploring combinatorial approaches will be important in advancing this avenue for chronic wound healing.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Ohiagu FO, Chikezie PC, Chikezie CM. Pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus complications: metabolic events and control. Biomed Res Ther 2021;8(3):4243–57.
    1. Singer AJ, Tassiopoulos A, Kirsner RS. Evaluation and management of lower-extremity ulcers. N Engl J Med 2017;377(16):1559–67.
    1. Pitocco D, Spanu T, Di Leo M, et al. Diabetic foot infections: a comprehensive overview. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019;23(2 Suppl):26–37.
    1. Andrews KL, Houdek MT, Kiemele LJ. Wound management of chronic diabetic foot ulcers: from the basics to regenerative medicine. Prosthet Orthot Int 2015;39(1):29–39.
    1. Boulton AJM, Whitehouse RW. The diabetic foot. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al, eds. Endotext. MDText.com, Inc; 2000. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK409609/ . Last accessed August 22, 2024.