This study evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of a Modified Simiao Yongan Decoction when used alongside standard endovascular therapy and wound care for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The trial focuses on patients presenting with the damp-heat toxins accumulation syndrome (Rutherford 4-5 or Wagner 2-4 classifications). Enrolling 120 participants, the study aims to observe the complete ulcer healing rate, limb salvage outcomes, and improvements in patient quality of life over a 6 to 24-month follow-up period.
This is a single-center, prospective, non-randomized, parallel-controlled cohort study designed to address the clinical challenge of delayed diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) healing despite upstream vascular recanalization. The study will enroll 120 patients, assigned to either a standard treatment control group or an experimental group. The control group will receive standard endovascular intervention, an anti-thrombotic regimen, and standard wound care. The experimental group will receive these same standard treatments plus a one-month regimen of Modified Simiao Yongan Decoction. The study's primary endpoints evaluate Major Adverse Limb Events (MALE) and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE). Secondary clinical outcomes include the complete ulcer healing time, clinical-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), ankle-brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), and changes in Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome scores and VascuQoL-6 scores. In addition to clinical metrics, the research investigates the underlying molecular mechanisms, specifically how the intervention regulates the vascular-immune microenvironment through the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway and macrophage polarization to promote angiogenesis and tissue repair. Statistical analyses will employ Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW) to balance baseline characteristics and the Fine-Gray competing risk model for robust outcome evaluation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
120
A 1-month course of oral granules administered following standard endovascular revascularization.
Standard revascularization via endovascular intervention, supplemented with a standardized post-operative antithrombotic regimen. Standard care also includes strict blood glucose control, infection management, wound decompression, regular dressing changes, and necessary nutritional support.
Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Incidence of Major Adverse Limb Events (MALE)
A composite endpoint defined as major amputation of vascular etiology or clinical-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR)
Time frame: Up to 24 months post-operatively
Incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) and Major Bleeding.
A composite endpoint defined as cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal ischemic stroke, alongside any major bleeding events requiring medical intervention.
Time frame: Up to 24 months post-operatively
Complete Ulcer Healing Rate and Time
The rate and total time required for the target diabetic foot ulcer to completely heal.
Time frame: Assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively.
Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
The ankle-brachial index (ABI) of the target limb will be measured to assess lower-extremity macrovascular perfusion. ABI is calculated as the ratio of ankle systolic blood pressure to brachial systolic blood pressure.
Time frame: Baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively.
Transcutaneous Oxygen Pressure (TcPO2)
Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) of the target limb will be measured in mmHg to assess local tissue oxygenation and microcirculatory perfusion.
Time frame: Baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Damp-Heat Toxins Accumulation Syndrome Score
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Damp-Heat Toxin Accumulation Syndrome Score is used to assess the severity of syndrome-related symptoms and signs. The scale consists of eight items, including four primary symptoms and four secondary symptoms. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, where 0 indicates absence of the symptom and 3 indicates severe manifestations. The total score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating greater syndrome severity and therefore a worse outcome.
Time frame: Assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively.
Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire-6 (VascuQoL-6) Score
The Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire-6 (VascuQoL-6) is a six-item disease-specific questionnaire used to assess health-related quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Each item is scored from 1 to 4, resulting in a total score ranging from 6 to 24. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life and therefore a better outcome.
Time frame: Assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively.
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