Randomised control trial to study antibacterial effect of low level laser therapy in infective diabetic foot ulcers admitted to KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum

Abstract

Background and objectives ABSTRACT Foot infections are frequent complication of patients with diabetes mellitus, accounting up to 20% of diabetes-related hospital admissions. Major changes can be seen in wounds treated with low level laser therapy ( LLLT ) ( Increased granulation tissue, fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, early epithelialization and enhanced neovascularisation ) . The objective of study was to assess anti-infective property of LLLT in diabetic foot infections. Methodology The present randomized controlled trial was conducted in Department of Surgery, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum on 60 patients with infected diabetic foot ulcers during January-2008 to December-2008. Patients were divided into two groups using computerized randomization chart. Group I received conventional dressing with betadine and group II received LLLT along with conventional dressing. Results In this study control group had 25 males and 5 female and study group had 23 males and 7 females. Maximum number of patients ( 40) were in the age group of 51 to 65 years. 43.33% of patients had history of DM for a period of 6 to 10 years and 36.66% had diabetes for 10 years or more. Neuropathy was present in 35% patients whereas vasculopathy was present in 10% of the patients. Twenty four ( 80% ) patients had positive ulcer culture in control group and culture VIII negative ulcer were 6 ( 20% ) on tenth day. In study group culture positive ulcers were 20 ( 66.66% ) and culture negative ulcers were 10 ( 33.33% ) ( p=0.3811 ) . Conclusions The wound subjected to LLLT with conventional therapy showed decreased infection rate at 10 th day of culture as compared to conventional dressing group alone but it was statistically not significant ( p=0.3811) . Large scale trials required to know the anti-infective property of LLLT. Multicentre trials are required to know the anti-infective property of LLLT.