Efficacy of Aloe Vera Cream for Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract

Background :To compare the efficacy of aloe vera
cream with normal saline dressings for infected
diabetic leg ulcers.
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial 60
patients with infected ulcers on lower limbs were
assigned into 2 groups by random sample collection
using lottery method. Patients in Group A received
aloe vera dressings and patients in Group B received
saline soaked dressings daily and were advised to
revisit after 8 days. Wound was assessed on the very
first visit and then on the 8th day. Patients were
assessed with reference to duration of diabetes,
grade of ulcer, body mass index and efficacy of
treatment.
Results: Out of 60 patients, majority were females
(53.33%). The efficacy of AVC (aloe vera) dressing
was significantly higher than that of NSD (normal
saline dressing). i.e. 100% vs 53.3%. (p-value = 0.000)
Similar trend was observed for age, gender, BMI,
Grade of ulcer and duration of diabetes (p = < 0.05)
except for patients with 11-15 years of diabetes &
obesity.
Conclusion: Efficacy of Aloe vera is higher as
compared to that of NSD for treating diabetic foot
ulcers. Added advantage of Aloe vera is its cost
effectiveness and minimal side effects.