Diagnostic Significance of Serum VEGF, bFGF, and Wound Tissue EGFR in Diabetic Chronic Refractory Wounds.

Abstract

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) face a higher risk of developing chronic refractory wounds. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in diabetes-related complications. This study aims to analyze the correlation between the 3 indicators and diabetic chronic refractory wounds, in order to establish the diagnostic value of these 3 indicators and provide reference for the treatment.

Material and methods: We selected 168 patients, with 84 in healing group and 84 in refractory group. The levels of serum VEGF, bFGF, and wound tissue EGFR were compared before treatment, and the correlation between the 3 indicators and the refractory wounds was analyzed. After the specific treatment in refractory group, the clinical efficacy and wound closure index was recorded, and the correlation between them and the 3 indicators were analyzed.

Results: The 3 indicators were all protective factors for diabetic chronic refractory wounds (p < .05). The serum VEGF and bFGF had relatively low diagnostic value for diabetic chronic refractory wounds, while wound tissue EGFR demonstrated higher diagnostic value (p < .05). The 3 indicators had a positive correlation with both the clinical efficacy and the wound closure index (p < .05).

Conclusion: Higher levels of serum VEGF, bFGF, and wound tissue EGFR are conducive to reducing the incidence of diabetic chronic refractory wounds. The combined measurement of these indicators holds high diagnostic value for the disease. Moreover, the higher the expression levels of these 3 indicators, the more favorable the clinical outcomes.