Investigating the Relationship Between Glycemic Control and Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing Rates


Authors : Dr. N. Junior Sundaresh; Sanjana B.; Priyadarshini R.; Dr. K. Kathiresan

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 8 - August


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yc5xrzdh

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yz77u6xp

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25aug990

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Abstract : Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are amongst the most critical diabetes mellitus complications and commonly result in infection, hospitalization, and amputation. Glycaemic control, whose degree is commonly assayed by HbA1c at regular intervals, has been considered as a wound healing factor of prime significance, although with a direct effect on ulcer healing being questioned. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between glycaemic control and healing rate of patients' diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: Prospective observational study among diabetic patients hospitalized with foot ulcer. Baseline demographic data, glycaemic control parameters (e.g., HbA1c and fasting blood sugar), and characteristics of the ulcers were noted. Rate of healing of ulcer was monitored during a given follow-up period, and statistical correlation between glycaemic parameters and healing outcome was analysed. Results: The research proved a strong inverse correlation between ulcer healing rates and HbA1c levels. Patients with improved glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7.5%) exhibited quicker and more successful healing than those with poor control. Furthermore, other variables like the duration of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and infection status also affected the healing rates. Conclusion: Glycaemic control is a significant predictor of diabetic foot ulcer healing. Monitoring and optimisation of blood glucose on a regular basis is likely to promote wound healing and decrease complications, once again showing the significance of well-coordinated diabetic care.

Keywords : Diabetic Foot Ulcer, HbA1c, Glycaemic Control, Ulcer Healing, Diabetes Mellitus, Wound Healing, Chronic Wounds, Healing Outcomes.

References :

  1. Lavery, L. A., et al. (2014). Reevaluating the way we classify the diabetic foot: restructuring the diabetic foot risk classification system of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot. Diabetes Care, 37(3), 855-862. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc13-1203.
  2. Zubair, M., Malik, A., & Ahmad, J. (2015). Glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic foot and its association with outcome. International Journal of Endocrinology, 2015, Article ID 847193. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/847193.
  3. Game, F. L., et al. (2016). A systematic review of interventions to enhance the healing of chronic ulcers of the foot in diabetes. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, 32(S1), 154-168. https://doi.org/10.1002/dmrr.2707.
  4. Margolis, D. J., et al. (2002). The effectiveness of diabetic foot ulcer care and the role of gender. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 10(6), 332-338. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-475X.2002.10605.
  5. Smith, D. G., et al. (2013). The influence of smoking on diabetic wound healing. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 131(5), 940e–941e. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182865cd2.
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  7. Lipsky, B. A., et al. (2012). 2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 54(12), e132–e173. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cis346.
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  12. Oyibo, S. O., et al. (2001). The relationship between blood glucose control and wound healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Diabetic Medicine, 18(4), 299–304. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1464-5491.2001.00484.
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  14. Tentolouris, N., et al. (2009). The effects of smoking on healing of foot ulcers in diabetic patients. International Wound Journal, 6(3), 271–275. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-481X.2009.00597.
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Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are amongst the most critical diabetes mellitus complications and commonly result in infection, hospitalization, and amputation. Glycaemic control, whose degree is commonly assayed by HbA1c at regular intervals, has been considered as a wound healing factor of prime significance, although with a direct effect on ulcer healing being questioned. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between glycaemic control and healing rate of patients' diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: Prospective observational study among diabetic patients hospitalized with foot ulcer. Baseline demographic data, glycaemic control parameters (e.g., HbA1c and fasting blood sugar), and characteristics of the ulcers were noted. Rate of healing of ulcer was monitored during a given follow-up period, and statistical correlation between glycaemic parameters and healing outcome was analysed. Results: The research proved a strong inverse correlation between ulcer healing rates and HbA1c levels. Patients with improved glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7.5%) exhibited quicker and more successful healing than those with poor control. Furthermore, other variables like the duration of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and infection status also affected the healing rates. Conclusion: Glycaemic control is a significant predictor of diabetic foot ulcer healing. Monitoring and optimisation of blood glucose on a regular basis is likely to promote wound healing and decrease complications, once again showing the significance of well-coordinated diabetic care.

Keywords : Diabetic Foot Ulcer, HbA1c, Glycaemic Control, Ulcer Healing, Diabetes Mellitus, Wound Healing, Chronic Wounds, Healing Outcomes.

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Paper Submission Last Date
30 - November - 2025

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