Manuka honey-impregnated dressings in the treatment of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers

• Published in: International wound journal Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 259 - 263
• Main Authors: Kamaratos, Alexandros V., Tzirogiannis, Konstantinos N., Iraklianou, Stella A., Panoutsopoulos, Georgios I., Kanellos, Ilias E., Melidonis, Andreas I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2014
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Bandages; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetic Foot - etiology; Diabetic Foot - therapy; Double-Blind Method; Dressings; Dressings; Manuka honey; Neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Greece; Honey; Humans; Male; Manuka honey; Middle Aged; Neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers; Original; Prospective Studies; Tertiary Care Centers; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing; Greece; Dressings; Manuka honey; Neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers
• ISSN: 1742-4801; 1742-481X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2012.01082.x

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.