Leung PC, Wong MW, Wong WC, et al.
Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi. Date of publication 2008 Feb 1;volume 14(1):29-33.
1. Hong Kong Med J. 2008 Feb;14(1):29-33.
Limb salvage in extensive diabetic foot ulceration: an extended study using a
herbal supplement.
Leung PC(1), Wong MW, Wong WC.
Author information:
(1)Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin,
Hong Kong. pingcleung@cuhk.edu.hk
OBJECTIVE: To further study the clinical value of a herbal supplement in the
treatment of chronic foot ulcers in diabetic patients.
DESIGN: Double-blind randomised, placebo-control trial.
SETTING: Two general hospitals in Hong Kong.
PATIENTS: Eighty patients were recruited according to strict selection criteria.
INTERVENTIONS: Clinical measures included standard antidiabetic treatment, daily
wound care including antiseptic bath, debridement, toe removal for gangrene when
necessary, and the daily consumption of a herbal drink or placebo.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was limb salvage. Secondary outcomes
included: granulation maturation, local temperature and circulatory changes,
tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels, and adverse events.
RESULTS: Limb salvage was achieved in 85% of the patients. Among the early
failures, three each came from the treatment and placebo groups. After shifting
to herbal treatment (without unblinding of the original treatment), all were
rescued in those initially assigned to herbal concoction (6 out of 6) while only
50% (6 out of 12) were rescued from among those initially assigned to placebo.
The speed of granulation maturation, and decline in tumour necrosis factor-alpha
levels indicating control of inflammation, were also more favourable with the
herbal group. No serious adverse events were observed.
CONCLUSION: The herbal adjuvant therapy was effective in helping the healing of
chronic diabetic ulcers.
PMID: 18239240 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
