Abstract
Background: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the commonest complications of DM. Honey could be used effectively on diabetic foot ulcers.
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of use of honey in treating diabetic foot ulcer on Saudi diabetic patients.
Methods: Thirty-two diabetic patients with diabetic foot infections were included in this study. Initial assessment was done for the diabetic foot ulcer and follow up assessment for three months was done for the site, size, grade and stage of ulcer and for the presence of inflammatory signs after application of honey dressing.
Results: Of the participants, 56.6% were males, 90.6% had diabetes type 2, 40.6% had an ulcer at the plantar fore foot, and 46.9% had an ulcer size of 6-10 cm2. A significant decrease was found in the mean ulcer size after one (22.18 32.66), two (15.32 +/- 24.44) and three months (10.47 +/- 19.55), compared to its mean size at the base line (27.19 +/- 37.24). Most patients had an ulcer grade and stage of (1-b) at the base line, after one-month (59.4%) had the (2-a) stage, after two months (53.1%) had the (1-a) ulcer grade, and after the third month, (46.9%) had the (0-a) stage. A significant difference was found between the presence of ulcer inflammation signs at the base line (43.8%), and after one month (9.4%).
Conclusion: The study proved that honey can be used as an effective, cheap, easily available, nontoxic adjuvant without adverse side effects in treatment of diabetic foot infections.