"Comparative Analysis of Serum IGF-1 Levels in Diabetic Patients with and Without Foot Ulcers across Wagner Grades"

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus. Impaired wound healing in DFU is associated with dysregulation of growth factors, including Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), which plays a central role in tissue repair and cellular proliferation. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare serum IGF-1 levels in diabetic patients with varying grades of DFU compared to diabetic patients without foot ulcers.  Patients and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted involving 125 diabetic patients with DFUs (categorized using Wagner grading) and 125 diabetic patients without foot ulcers. Serum levels of IGF-1 was assessed by drawing blood samples and using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and color intensity was measured on an automated iMark ELISA reader (Bio-Rad). Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA and correlation analysis to determine associations between IGF-1 levels and DFU severity. Results: Preliminary analysis suggests significantly lower IGF-1 levels in DFU patients compared to diabetic controls without ulcers. Furthermore, serum IGF-1 levels demonstrated an inverse relationship with ulcer severity, with the lowest values seen in Wagner grade IV and V ulcers. Conclusion:  IGF-1 may serve as a potential biomarker for DFU severity and impaired wound healing. Its therapeutic role warrants further investigation.