Evaluating the Effects of Spraying Oxytetracycline on Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) can be created due to neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease in the lower limbs. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of spraying oxytetracycline on DFU. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 diabetic patients suffering from DFU. The patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups of intervention and control (n = 30 each). While all subjects received antibiotic therapy, blood sugar control, and, if necessary debridement, the intervention group received oxytetracycline spraying on the DFUs twice a day. After the intervention, the patients were visited every week (for three weeks), photos were taken of the DFUs by special software, and the size of the DFUs was checked. The DFUs were also studied in terms of purulent discharge, the smell, and erythema, and edema around the ulcer. After three weeks, the healing of ulcers were compared in the two groups. Data were gathered and analyzed using the SPSS software version 11.5, descriptive statistical test, chi-square, and t-test. Results: Before the study, the size of the DFUs in the intervention and control groups was 110.87 ± 38.3 and 127.12 ± 40 mm2, respectively. After the treatment, the alterations in the intervention group in the first, second, and third weeks were 14.90 ± 14.41, 26.93 ± 18.86, and 41.25 ± 19.51, respectively. Also, in the control group, the alterations were 19.45 ± 1.35, 23.78 ± 5.31, and 13.29 ± 8.75, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the size of DFUs between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, spraying oxytetracycline on DFUs facilitated the process of healing. Thus, it can be used as an affordable, available, and effective method.