Effect of Applying Betadine Dressing on the Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract

Diabetic foot complications, particularly chronic ulcers, represent a major global health challenge with significant economic and psychological impacts. Betadine-saturated dressings are among the proposed treatments, though their effectiveness remains debated. This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the effect of povidone-iodine (Betadine) dressing on the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. The study sample consisted of 20 patients selected through convenience sampling, all diagnosed with grade II or III diabetic foot ulcers, from the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit and the Vascular Surgery Department at Damascus Military Hospital. Results showed that the average ulcer area decreased from 12.6 ± 3.1 before treatment to 9.1 ± 2.4 by day 23. While Betadine led to partial improvement in most deep ulcers, complete healing was limited within the treatment period. The differences were highly statistically significant (P = 0.000), confirming a notable therapeutic effect. The study recommends combining Betadine with other treatment methods, such as advanced dressings or topical antibiotics, to improve the chances of full healing in deep cases.