221 - Platelet-Rich Plasma for Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Preparation Procedure Reporting: A Narrative Review

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) afflict many patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and are associated with significant morbidity. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) preparations have been validated as effective adjuncts in the treatment of DFUs. This narrative review seeks to appraise and critique literature related to PRP use for DFUs.

Design:

A narrative review was conducted using sources from PubMed, SCOPUS, WebOfScience, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Information that was utilized included, but was not limited to, study design, data reporting methods, statistical analysis, PRP preparation methods, PRP concentration, application method and technique, and patient demographics. These data were compiled and analyzed to prepare a narrative style review of PRP application for the management of DFUs.

Results:

PRP preparations have been validated as effective adjuncts in the treatment of DFUs. In 2017, the Minimum Information for Studies Evaluating Biologics in Orthopaedics (MIBO) guideline was constructed to standardize the reporting of orthobiologic studies. Although these guidelines were established for reporting the preparation of PRP, they are not consistently adhered to in the literature. Studies prior to 2017 would understandably not include adequate reporting of their preparation; however, some research after 2017 is still lacking thorough reporting of preparation procedures.

Conclusions:

PRP for the management of DFUs has emerged as a promising adjunctive therapy for patients; however, the literature remains polarizing. Although some of the studies presented in this review demonstrate adequate adherence to guidelines, others exhibit a lack of reporting standards, specifically in terms of PRP preparation. Additionally, the absence of comprehensive statistical analysis in the presented studies remains an issue, as it limits readers’ ability to draw conclusions and compare results across the diverse set of studies. In order to address these concerns, it is crucial for future studies to have consistency in regards to reporting, such as adhering to the MIBO recommendations and guidelines.