Placenta-derived biomaterials vs. standard care in chronic diabetic foot ulcer healing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION

This study explored the effectiveness of current placenta-derived biomaterials therapies in ulcer healing in DFU compared to standard of care (SOC).

METHODS

The systematic review and meta-analysis were performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standard. The electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (WoS) internet were searched for the outcome rate of complete ulcer healing. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using the tool recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Statistical analysis included the individual and combined result of the studies, heterogeneity test, the effect size, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias tests.

RESULTS

Twelve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 833 patients were included in this study. This meta-analysis showed a higher rate of complete ulcer healing in groups receiving placenta-derived biomaterials therapies (OR = 6.247 [4.425, 8.819], p < 0.01, I2 = 41 %) compared to control groups.

CONCLUSION

Placenta-derived biomaterials therapies have been shown to be more effective for achieving complete ulcer healing compared to current conventional treatments in DFU.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: The utilization of placenta-derived biomaterials in therapies for wound healing, particularly in chronic DFU, presents promising implications for clinical practice. These biomaterials offer a rich source of growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix components, which can stimulate tissue regeneration and angiogenesis. Incorporating such therapies into clinical practice holds the potential to accelerate wound closure, reduce infection rates, and improve overall healing outcomes in people with diabetic chronic foot ulcers. Furthermore, the availability of these biomaterials can offer clinicians a readily-accessible and cost-effective alternative to traditional wound care approaches, ultimately enhancing patient care and quality of life. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.