The master’s thesis by researcher Musa Rahim Hashim, titled “A Comparison of the SINBAD and Wagner Scales to Measure the Effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on the Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers,” was defended in the Grand Hall of the College of Nursing at the University of Baghdad under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Sirwan Ja’far Baqi.
The study primarily aimed to evaluate diabetic foot ulcers using the SINBAD and Wagner scales before and after the application of negative pressure wound therapy, and to compare the effectiveness of the two scales in monitoring the impact of this advanced nursing intervention on wound healing, as well as to determine the nature of the relationship between healing rates and the demographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants.
The study’s results and conclusions showed that the use of negative-pressure wound therapy was associated with a significant, short-term clinical improvement in the healing of diabetic foot ulcers compared to conventional saline dressing, particularly in reducing infection and decreasing ulcer size and depth, The results also demonstrated the complementarity of the two scales; the SINBAD scale was characterized by detailed monitoring of wound components, while the Wagner scale provided a comprehensive and concise classification of injury severity.
Based on the research findings, the study recommended the adoption of negative-pressure wound therapy for appropriate clinical cases within comprehensive nursing care protocols for diabetic foot ulcers, as well as specialized training for nursing staff on its application, follow-up, and the optimal use of the SINBAD and Wagner assessment tools, along with establishing a standardized and systematic clinical documentation system and encouraging future research with larger samples and extended follow-up periods. Following an extensive scientific discussion, the researcher’s efforts culminated in the thesis being awarded a grade of “Very Good.”
The findings of this study are consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals that the College of Nursing at the University of Baghdad seeks to promote, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), through the development of strategies for the care of complex wounds, the reduction of diabetes complications, and the improvement of the quality of clinical nursing care in healthcare institutions.
