Efficacy and safety of autologous platelet-rich plasma for diabetic foot ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of autologous platelet-rich plasma (au-PRP) for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) treatment. Method: We conducted database searches (MEDLINE, EMBASE, evidence-based medicine reviews: CENTRAL, PubMed, and Web of Science) and reference mining for randomised controlled trials from inception to 23 January 2022. Results were scrutinised, data were extracted and research quality was investigated by two independent authors. Primary outcome was the proportion of complete ulcer healing. Secondary outcomes included both the mean time to complete healing and the incidence of adverse events. Statistical analyses were performed in RevMan 5.4 (Cochrane, UK). Kaplan–Meier curves for time to complete healing were pooled in R software (version 4.1.2) (R Foundation, Austria). Results: Of the 231 records identified, 17 studies with a total of 1303 participants (649 randomised to the au-PRP group and 654 to a standard of care (SOC) group) met the eligibility criteria and were included in our study. Compared with SOC, au-PRP appeared to promote the complete healing rate (odds ratio (OR): 2.11; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.55–2.86). Au-PRP also appeared to significantly shorten complete healing time (mean duration: –19.04 days; 95%CI: –20.46––17.61]). There was no significant difference on adverse events. Results were robust on sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this review and meta-analysis, Au-PRP is an effective and safe adjuvant therapy for DFUs.