How does chronic hyperglycemia affect wound healing?

• A. Impair neutrophil function, reduces collagen synthesis, and causes microvascular disease leading to slower wound healing.
• B. Accelerates neutrophil function and collagen synthesis.
• C. Increases angiogenesis and accelerates healing.
• D. Has no effect on wound healing.

Answer: (A)

Chronic high blood sugar disrupts wound healing by hitting the key steps that repair tissue: inflammation, tissue formation, and remodeling. When glucose stays elevated, neutrophil function is compromised—chemotaxis, adhesion, and killing of bacteria are reduced—so the wound is slower to clear infection and debris. It also dampens fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis, weakening the new tissue scaffold that closes the wound. In addition, long-term hyperglycemia damages small blood vessels, impairing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the wound, which hinders new vessel formation and nutrient supply. Put together, these effects slow healing and raise the risk of infection. This is why the description of impaired neutrophil function, reduced collagen synthesis, and microvascular disease leading to slower wound healing is the most accurate portrayal of chronic hyperglycemia’s impact. The other statements conflict with these established effects, such as claiming neutrophil function or collagen synthesis is accelerated, suggesting increased angiogenesis, or saying there’s no effect.