Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise for Diabetic Foot: Umbrella Review
Stem cell therapy has emerged as a potential treatment for diabetic foot (DF), offering hope for improved healing rates, reduced amputation rates, enhanced vascular function, and alleviation of pain symptoms. However, the evidence regarding its effectiveness and safety has been fragmented. DF poses significant challenges in management due to its complex pathophysiology and potential for severe complications, including non-healing ulcers and amputations.
This umbrella review aims to summarize and evaluate the existing evidence from systematic reviews/meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) on the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for DF. This study was published in the journal Advances In Wound Care by Hongshuo Shi and colleagues. Stem cell therapy holds promise as a novel approach to address these issues by promoting tissue regeneration and angiogenesis.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive search for SRs/MAs that included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on stem cell therapy for DF. Eight SRs/MAs were included in the review, and the methodological quality and evidence quality were evaluated. A quantitative synthesis of RCTs included in the SRs/MAs was performed to obtain updated conclusions.
The key findings of the study were:
26 RCTs were analyzed, with an overlap of 21.4% among the SRs/MAs.
Stem cell therapy demonstrated effectiveness in improving various measures, including healing rate, amputation rate, vascular function, and pain relief.
Increased new angiogenesis rate (RR, 6.07; 95% CI, 1.73-21.26; P =.06).
Improved healing rate (RR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.68-2.10; P =.11).
Reduced amputation rate (RR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.16-0.44; P =.94).
Enhanced vascular parameters such as TcPO2 and ABI.
Decreased pain scores.
Adverse reactions were minimal and included pain and swelling after transplantation.
Despite methodological limitations in the existing evidence, stem cell therapy appears to be effective and safe for patients with DF, offering improvements in healing rates, vascular function, and pain relief. Further research and larger, high-quality trials are needed to validate these findings and establish standardized protocols for stem cell therapy in DF management.
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