Evaluation of the Curative Effect of Topical Insulin Application on Burn Wounds of Non-Diabetic Patients with Minor to Moderate Partial Thickness Burns

Abstract

Background and aim Burns are one of the most common traumatic conditions. Heat, chemicals, electrical currents, and radiation are all examples of physical or chemical factors responsible for burns. A previously conducted study of diabetic individuals found that the local injection of insulin for wound treatment promoted the processes of angiogenesis and fibrosis with no significant negative effects. This study was aimed at evaluating the curative effects of local insulin application in the treatment of minor to moderate partial-thickness burns in nondiabetic burned patients. Patients and methods This was a case–controlled, randomized clinical study of 50 patients of both sexes, nondiabetic, with minor to moderate partial-thickness burns, aged 20–55 years, who were allocated into two groups: the study group that received topical insulin application and the control group that received the usual treatment. Each group was treated for 14 days. The following items were assessed in both groups: wound healing time, pain, scar healing, incidence of adverse reactions, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Results Across the two groups, the wound healing time and the average number of burn dressing changes in the study group were substantially less than those in the control group. Before intervention, there was no significant difference in the level of pain, while after intervention, the study group was substantially less than the control group (P<0.05) in the level of pain and scar healing. Conclusion Topical insulin application was effective and harmless in the treatment of minor to moderate partial-thickness burns in nondiabetic burned patients.