Which condition is associated with delayed wound healing?

• A. Diabetes
• B. Hypertension
• C. Obesity
• D. Anemia

Answer: (A)

Delayed wound healing is most strongly linked to diabetes because high blood glucose disrupts multiple steps in the healing process. Hyperglycemia impairs immune cell function—neutrophils struggle with chemotaxis and phagocytosis—so infection control is slower. It also hampers collagen synthesis and cross-linking, reduces fibroblast activity, and blunts angiogenesis, meaning the new tissue forms more slowly. Chronic hyperglycemia damages small vessels, limiting oxygen and nutrient delivery to the wound, and advanced glycation end-products can alter protein function and tissue remodeling. Altogether, these changes prolong inflammation and delay closure. Other conditions can affect healing—obesity, anemia, and hypertension influence perfusion or oxygen delivery—but diabetes consistently produces delayed healing through these metabolic and immune effects.