RESEARCH TREND ON DIABETIC FOOT ULCER WOUND HEALING USING BIOFILM

Abstract

This bibliometric analysis explores the research trends on diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) wound healing using biofilm, a topic of increasing importance due to the growing prevalence of diabetes and the associated complications in wound management. DFUs represent a significant healthcare burden, and biofilm formation is recognized as a major barrier to effective healing. Despite the clinical relevance, the integration of biofilm-related strategies in DFU treatment remains an emerging field. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic analysis to identify publication patterns, influential contributions, and collaborative networks. The data search strategy employed three core keywords: “diabetic foot ulcer,” “wound healing,” and “biofilm.” Using the Scopus database and the search string TITLE (["diabetic foot ulcer" OR dfu OR dfus OR "foot ulcer" OR "diabetic foot wound" OR "chronic foot ulcer in diabetes"] AND ["wound healing" OR "skin healing" OR "wound dressing" OR "tissue repair" OR "tissue regeneration"] OR biofilm), a total of 366 relevant documents were retrieved. Data cleaning and standardization were performed using OpenRefine, while Scopus Analyzer and VOSviewer software facilitated bibliometric mapping and visualization. The results show a marked increase in publications over the last decade, with China, the United States, and India being the most prolific contributors. The most cited articles focus on advanced wound dressings, antimicrobial strategies, and the role of stem cells and hydrogels in biofilm disruption and tissue regeneration. Co-authorship analysis reveals strong collaborative networks among Western countries, while Asian nations show increasing research output with moderate international linkages. Popular keywords include “diabetic foot ulcers,” “wound healing,” “ulcer,” and “biofilm,” highlighting the field’s thematic focus. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, key contributors, and emerging directions in DFU wound healing research involving biofilms, offering valuable insights for researchers and clinicians alike.