# Outcomes of Collagen and Conventional Dressings in the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Comparative Study in Bangladesh

## TL;DR

This study in Bangladesh found that collagen dressings help heal diabetic foot ulcers faster than traditional dressings.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the effectiveness of collagen dressings for DFU treatment in a Bangladeshi context.

## Key findings

- Collagen dressings led to significantly faster granulation compared to conventional dressings.
- Healing time was shorter with collagen dressings than with conventional ones.
- Granulation tissue was nearly twice as likely to appear early with collagen dressings.

## Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a major consequence of diabetes and a major cause of lower-extremity amputation. Effective management techniques are essential given this high burden, especially in Bangladesh. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of collagen and traditional dressings in the treatment of DFU patients.

Methods: An observational comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh, over six months. A total of 100 patients with DFU were enrolled and equally divided into two groups: one treated with collagen dressing and the other with conventional dressing. Patients were recruited following inclusion and exclusion criteria, and informed consent was obtained. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, glycemic control, and treatment outcomes were collected. Outcome assessment focused on time to granulation and complete healing. Data were analyzed using Stata Statistical Software: Release 13 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, Texas, United States).

Results: The mean age of participants was 60.07±10.39 years (range: 34-78 years); 77% (n=77) were male. Mean HbA1c was comparable between groups (collagen: 8.12±1.14% vs. conventional: 8.05±0.74%). Granulation occurred significantly earlier in the collagen group (2.26±1.58 weeks) than in the conventional group (3.76±1.57 weeks; p<0.001). Similarly, mean healing time was shorter with collagen (4.90±2.54 weeks) compared to conventional dressing (6.24±3.76 weeks; p<0.05). Hazard ratio (HR) analysis showed granulation tissue appeared 1.96 times more likely with collagen dressing than conventional (HR: 1.96; 95%CI: 1.31-2.96; p<0.05).

Conclusion: DFUs, which involve prolonged healing and a high risk of infection, are a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization in diabetic patients. This study found that collagen dressing outperforms conventional dressings, promoting faster healing and earlier granulation, with granulation tissue nearly twice as likely to appear early.