Clinical Sciences/Health Conditions
RAKTIM SWARNAKAR, MD (he/him/his)
Assistant Professor
ALL INDIA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (AIIMS), DEOGHAR, INDIA, Delhi, India
Pressure injury (PI) is a common secondary complication in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), causing significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. While platelet-rich plasma (PRP) promotes wound healing, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) offers a higher and more sustained concentration of growth factors within a fibrin matrix. To date, no clinical trial has evaluated PRF for PI in the SCI population. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of PRF membrane for PI management in SCI, using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) Tool version 3.0 and cost estimation at 3 weeks.
Design:
The study was initiated after obtaining ethical approval and trial registration. This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial included 20 pressure injuries (grades II–IV), which were randomly allocated to either the PRF intervention group or the control group (CG). Participants in the intervention group received PRF membrane dressings once weekly for 3 weeks, while the CG received daily normal saline dressings. Outcome assessment was performed weekly using the PUSH Tool version 3.0.
Results:
Within-group analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the total PUSH score in the PRF group from baseline to the third week (P = 0.005), whereas no significant change was observed in the control group (P = 0.343). A statistically significant reduction in wound exudate was also noted in PRF group (P = 0.007). Between-group analysis at third week revealed a significant difference in total PUSH scores, favoring the PRF group over the control group (P = 0.009). Additionally, the overall cost of management was lower in the PRF.
Conclusion:
This study represents the first clinical trial evaluating the use of PRF for the management of pressure injuries in individuals with SCI. PRF demonstrated effectiveness in promoting the healing of pressure injuries. Additionally, PRF was associated with less cost compared to conventional normal saline dressings.
