Effectiveness of silver dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2nd November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, YiXin; Li, Li; Zhao, Ping; Yang, Chuan; Zhang, June
• Is Part Of: Journal of wound care. Volume 31:Number 11(2022)
• Page Start: 979
• Page End: 986
• Publication Date: 2022-11-02
• Subjects: diabetes -- diabetic foot ulcers -- foot -- meta-analysis -- silver dressing -- ulcer -- wound -- wound care -- wound dressing -- wound healing; Wounds and injuries -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Wound healing -- Periodicals; 617.1
• DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2022.31.11.979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-0700

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Silver dressings have been used in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). However, meta-analyses examining their effectiveness is lacking. Therefore, this meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of silver dressings on DFU healing. Method: Various databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of silver dressing applied to DFUs. Results: A total of seven studies involving 650 patients were identified for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The odds ratio (OR) for silver dressing improving wound healing rate, complete healing time, ulcer-related in-hospital time and infection resolution rate were: 4.02 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.25–7.17; p<0.01); 2.81 (95% CI: –3.33––2.29; p<0.01); 12.13 (95% CI:–20.64––3.62; p<0.01); and 7.36 (95% CI: 1.58–34.22; p=0.01), respectively. The OR on ulcer area reduction was 8.60 (95% CI:–8.93–26.12; p=0.34) indicating no significant effect. Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis showed that silver dressings enhance DFU healing rate, shorten the time to complete healing, shorten in-hospital duration, and improve infection resolution rate, while having no significant effect on reduction of ulcer area. Large-scale, multicentre, rigorously designed RCTs are recommended for future investigation to justify the beneficial effects of silver dressings on DFU healing.