Use of honey in diabetic foot ulcer: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of honey dressing as an effective intervention for diabetic foot wound management and to provide a reliable basis for future clinical study.

Materials and methods: We analyzed an assortment of randomized controlled trial (RCT), quasi-experimental and cross-sectional studies. We selected RCTs and quasi-experimental studies for meta-analysis. We only conducted a descriptive analysis for observational studies.

Results: The meta-analysis showed that honey used effectively reduces wound recovery time and rate, incurred pain, hospital stay, and accelerates granulation in DFU wounds.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that honey effectively promotes healing in DFU. Further research is needed to elucidate these findings so that this form of treatment can be widely applied.

Keywords: Diabetic foot ulcers; Honey; Meta-analysis; Systematic review.