Nutrition Supplements in DFU: Systematic Review and Practical Implications for Diabetes Educators — ASN Events
  1. Schedule
  2. ADEA Poster Viewing One
  3. Nutrition Supplements in DFU: Systematic Review and Practical Implications for Diabetes Educators

Nutrition Supplements in DFU: Systematic Review and Practical Implications for Diabetes Educators (#388)

Achamma Joseph 1 , Anne P Anthikat
  1. Queensland Health, Kirwan, QLD, Australia

Aim:

The study aims to critically review the role nutrition supplements as an adjuvant therapy in treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) along with standard treatment.

Methods:
Electronic databases: Key word searches in English language publications using a combination of keywords 'nutritional supplements', 'supplements', 'Arginine', 'ulcer', 'wound healing', 'diabetic foot ulcer' were conducted from peer-reviewed literature in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL ,CAM on PUBMED, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Allied & Complementary Medicine Resources (AMED) and Informit library from 1955 to December 2014.

Inclusion Criteria:Nutrition supplementation in diabetic foot ulcers in humans aged ≤ 18 years, all language publications.

Study selection and Data extraction:Two independent researchers used Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools to critically appraise Journal articles for inclusion and exclusion. Data was extracted and synthesised into a standardized data extraction form with data on study design, methodology, dosage, mode of administration, time to healing, wound healing and other study variables.

Results:

Using keywords and abstract search 4316 articles were screened, of which 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these seven studies investigated the role of Amino Acids in DFU, while three studies focused on Chinese herbal supplements and the remaining one study explored the healing effects of general nutrition supplement in malnutrition and DFU. Favourable outcomes for nutrition supplements in DFU was observed with faster healing times of ulcers and reduction in ulcer size when compared to controls where applicable.

Conclusion:

Reduction in wound size, healing times and limb salvage are paramount in improving the quality of life for clients with DFU and not to mention the enormous reduction of health care costs. Nutrient adjuvant therapies appears to be an easily accessible, low cost effective treatment for most DFU clients. Definitely more robust studies are needed to support this evidence.