Objective  To evaluate the clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) using a meta-analysis approach.

Methods  Relevant literature on PRP for treatment of DFU was collected by searching databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, NEJM, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, and China Biology Medicine disc. Relevant literature on PRP for treatment of DFU was collected. The literature was read, and effect sizes were extracted. The extracted data were then subjected to a meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 software.

Results  A total of 6 studies were included in this meta-analysis, involving 440 patients. Among them, there were 208 patients in experimental group (PRP combined with conventional treatment) and 232 patients in control group (conventional treatment, blank control, or placebo treatment). The ulcer healing efficacy rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (OR=1.29, 95%CI, 1.19 to 1.40, P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (OR=0.33, 95%CI, 0.12 to 0.93, P=0.94). The healing time (MD=-14.37, 95%CI, -23.12 to -5.62, P=0.001), thickness of granulation tissue on the ulcer surface (MD=1.60, 95%CI, 1.31 - 1.88, P < 0.000 01), coverage rate of granulation tissue on ulcer surface (MD=6.03, 95%CI, 3.79 to 8.26, P < 0.05), and level of vascular endothelial growth factor on the ulcer surface (MD=7.62, 95%CI, 1.57 to 13.67, P=0.01) in the experimental group were all superior to those in the control group.

Conclusion  PRP treatment for DFU has the advantages of improving the ulcer healing efficacy rate, shortening the ulcer healing time, promoting the growth of granulation tissue on the ulcer surface, and reducing the incidence of adverse reactions.