Outcomes of hyaluronan therapy in diabetic foot wounds

The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of persons with neuropathic diabetic foot wounds treated with a hyaluronan-containing dressing. Data were abstracted for 36 patients with diabetes, 72.2% male, aged 60.0+/-10.7 years and a mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) of 9.5+/-2.5% presenting for care at two large, multidisciplinary wound care centers. All patients received surgical debridement for their diabetic foot wounds and were placed on therapy consisting of hyaluronan dressing (Hyalofill, Convatec, USA) with dressing changes taking place every other day. Outcomes evaluated included time to complete wound closure and proportion of patients achieving wound closure in 20 weeks. Hyalofill therapy was used until the wound bed achieved 100% granulation tissue. Therapy was then followed by a moisture-retentive dressing until complete epithelialization. In total, 75.0% of wounds measuring a mean 2.2+/-2.2 cm(2) healed in the 20-week evaluation period. Of those that healed in this period, healing took place in a mean 10.0+/-4.8 weeks. The average duration of Hyalofill therapy in all patients was 8.6+/-4.2 weeks. Deeper (UT Grade 2A) wounds were over 15 times less likely to heal than superficial (1A) wounds (94.7 vs. 52.9%, Odds Ratio=15.9, 95% Confidence Interval=1.7-142.8, P=0.006). We conclude that a regimen consisting of moist wound healing using hyaluronan-containing dressings may be a useful adjunct to appropriate diabetic foot ulcer care. We await the completion of a multicenter randomized controlled trial in this area to either support or refute this initial assessment.     

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Low Pressure and Gauze Dressings to Treat Diabetic Foot Wounds

This study was a prospective cohort study to evaluate negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with low pressure and a gauze dressing to treat diabetic foot wounds. Thirty patients with diabetic foot wounds were consented to a prospective study to evaluate wound closure and complications to evaluate NPWT with low pressure (80 mmHg) and a gauze dressing interface (EZCare, Smith and Nephew) for up to 5 weeks. NPWT was changed 3 times a week. Study subjects were evaluated once a week for adverse events and wound measurements. Of study subjects, 43% attained at least a 50% wound area reduction after 4 weeks of therapy. Our results suggest that a high rate of wound closure could be expected with low pressure and a gauze interface.     

Ultrasound therapy for recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers: results of a randomized, double-blind, controlled, multicenter study

An estimated 15% of patients with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer sometime in their life, making them 30 to 40 times more likely to undergo amputation due to a non-healing foot ulcer than the non-diabetic population. To determine the safety and efficacy of a new, non-contact, kilohertz ultrasound therapy for the healing of recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers - as well as to evaluate the impact on total closure and quantitative bacterial cultures and the effect on healing of various levels of sharp/surgical debridement - a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled, multicenter study was conducted in hospital-based and private wound care clinics. Patients (55 met criteria for efficacy analysis) received standard of care, which included products that provide a moist environment, offloading diabetic shoes and socks, debridement, wound evaluation, and measurement. The "therapy" was either active 40 KHz ultrasound delivered by a saline mist or a "sham device" which delivered a saline mist without the use of ultrasound. After 12 weeks of care, the proportion of wounds healed (defined as complete epithelialization without drainage) in the active ultrasound therapy device group was significantly higher than that in the sham control group (40.7% versus 14.3%, P = 0.0366, Fisher's exact test). The ultrasound treatment was easy to use and no difference in the number and type of adverse events between the two treatment groups was noted. Of interest, wounds were debrided at baseline followed by a quantitative culture biopsy. The results of these cultures demonstrated a significant bioburden (greater than 10(5)) in the majority of cases, despite a lack of clinical signs of infection. Compared to control, this therapeutic modality was found to increase the healing rate of recalcitrant, diabetic foot ulcers.     

A prospective, randomized, controlled trial of autologous platelet-rich plasma gel for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

Nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers are a common cause of amputation. Emerging cellular therapies such as platelet-rich plasma gel provide ulcer management options to avoid loss of limb. The purpose of this prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded, multicenter clinical study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma gel for the treatment of nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers. One hundred, twenty-nine (129) patients were screened; 72 completed a 7-day screening period and met the study inclusion criteria. Patients were randomized into two groups - the standard care with platelet-rich plasma gel or control (saline gel) dressing group - and evaluated biweekly for 12 weeks or until healing. Healing was confirmed 1 week following closure and monitored for another 11 weeks. An independent audit led to the exclusion of 32 patients from the final per-protocol analysis because of protocol violations and failure to complete treatment. In this group, 13 out of 19 (68.4%) of the platelet-rich plasma gel and nine out of 21 (42.9%) of the control wounds healed. After adjusting for wound size outliers (n = 5), significantly more platelet-rich plasma gel (13 out of 16, 81.3%) than control gel (eight out of 19, 42.1%) treated wounds healed (P = 0.036, Fisher's exact test). Kaplan-Meier time-to-healing also was significantly different between groups (log-rank, P = 0.0177). No treatment-related serious adverse events were reported and bovine thrombin used in the preparation of PRP did not cause Factor V inhibition. When used with good standards of care, the majority of nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers treated with autologous platelet-rich plasma gel can be expected to heal.     

Offloading diabetic foot wounds using the scotchcast boot: a retrospective study

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate treatment outcomes associated with the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers using the Scotchcast boot. Data were extracted from the records of 180 patients with diabetes, 150 (83.3%) male, with a mean age of 55.3 +/- 10.9 years undergoing treatment for noninfected, non-ischemic neuropathic diabetic foot wounds at a university teaching hospital's tertiary care outpatient clinic. All patients who met the criteria were treated with the Scotchcast boot as the sole form of pressure relief. The average follow-up for each patient was 85.9 +/- 30.6 months (range 34.2 to 147.7 months). The mean time to healing for all patients was 130.5 +/- 106.7 days. Superficial (Grade 1) wounds healed significantly faster than deep (Grade 3) wounds (111.5 +/- 98.2 versus 180.8 +/- 138.8 days, P = 0.01) and 144 (80%) wounds healed during the follow-up period. Of the 36 (20%) that did not heal with Scotchcast boot therapy, 10 went on to more proximal amputation (5.6% of total population), two required surgical intervention to heal their wounds (0.6% of total population), one patient died with an unhealed wound (0.6% of total population), 23 patients (12.8% of total population) were lost to follow-up, and 47 (26%) died. Experience and the results of this and other studies suggest that this removable modality may be useful in outpatient care of deeper or complex wounds that require frequent inspection, but a device that ensures compliance may be the preferred treatment of superficial wounds.     

The effects of applied felted foam on wound healing and healing times in the therapy of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers.

AIMS: The application of felted foam is a promising method for plantar pressure reduction in the ulcer region of diabetic foot ulcers, but knowledge of its effects on wound healing is sparse. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of felted foam on wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers compared with a standard method of plantar pressure relief. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic patients with neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers were evaluated in this prospective randomized controlled study. Ulcer healing was assessed by planimetric measurement of the wound area at beginning of the study and after 10 weeks and at least until wound healing. The patients were consecutively enrolled in the study; 24 patients were randomized to the felted foam therapy, and 30 patients were randomized to conventional therapy. RESULTS: In the felted foam group, the initial average wound area was 102.3 +/- 45.3 mm2 (mean +/- sd), and 5.4 +/- 3.1 mm2 after 10 weeks with an average healing time of 75 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 67-84]. In the conventional therapy group, the initial average wound area was 112.5 +/- 50.8 mm2, and 10.6 +/- 4.2 mm2 after 10 weeks with an average healing time of 85 days (95% CI 79-92) (P = 0.03). The mean wound radius decreased by 0.48 mm (95% CI 0.42-0.56) per week in the felted foam group and by 0.39 mm (95% CI 0.35-0.42) per week in the conventional group (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The felted foam technique appears to be at least as effective as conventional plantar ulcer treatment. It may be a useful alternative in treating neuropathic foot ulceration, especially in patients who are not able to avoid weight-bearing reliably.     

A retrospective, longitudinal study to evaluate healing lower extremity wounds in patients with diabetes mellitus and ischemia using standard protocols of care and platelet-rich plasma gel in a Japanese wound care program

Chronic wounds, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), are a major health challenge in Japan. The goal of wound care centers (WCCs) in Japan is to facilitate healing and prevent lower extremity amputations (LEAs) using standardized protocols of patient and wound care. The standard treatment algorithm includes a complete patient and wound assessment, history, physical exam, and a variety of diagnostic tests that determine the need for infection control intervention, revascularization, excision and debridement, growth factor/platelet rich plasma (PRP) gel therapy, skin graft/ flap, wound protection, and education. All patient and wound data are entered in a secure central database for all WCCs. To evaluate the outcomes of standard care regimens compared to the use of a topical PRP gel treatment in patients with a variety of complex wounds, a retrospective, longitudinal study was conducted. Wound outcomes from 39 patients with 40 chronic, nonhealing, lower extremity wounds were evaluated between two time periods: between first presentation at the WCC (T1) and after using standard topical treatments (T2) and between T2 and after using the PRP gel treatment (T3). Patient average age was 66.8 years (SD: 10.60) and mean wound duration was 99.7 days before treatment (SD: 107.73); and the majority of patients (85%) had DM. Wounds were classified as ischemic diabetic (n = 24), diabetic (n = 10), ischemic (n = 5), and pressure ulcer (n = 1). DFUs were Wagner III (77%) and lV (23%). Of those, 60% were in patients with arteriosclerotic obliterans (ASO). Infection (abscess, cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and/or gangrene) was present in all wounds and treated using debridement, antibiotic therapy, and surgery as deemed appropriate. During the first treatment period (T1 to T2) of 75.3 days, which included revascularization and/or debridement along with standard of care, none of the wounds healed and the average wound area, depth, and volume increased. Following topical PRP gel treatment, 83% of wounds healed within 145.2 days (T2 to T3) (P = 0.00002). Only one patient required an LEA. The results of this study suggest that good healing outcomes and a low amputation rate can be obtained with a protocol of supportive care (including revascularization procedures) and the PRP gel treatment. Prospective controlled studies comparing the use of this PRP gel to other advanced treatments are warranted.     

Insulin-degrading activity in wound fluid

Patients with diabetes are at great risk of developing lower extremity ulcers. The management of diabetic foot ulcers typically includes early recognition and appropriate clinical care. Recent advances in wound treatment include topical growth factor therapy, which has been successful in diabetic wounds. Growth factors are decreased in wound fluid; this may be due to decreased supply, increased binding, or increased degradation of the naturally occurring growth factors. This study investigates the activity of the insulin-degrading enzyme in wound fluid. Wound fluid was obtained from patients with (n = 17) and without (n = 4) diabetes. Insulin degradation was assayed by incubating [(125)I]insulin with wound fluid and precipitation in trichloroacetic acid. Fluid from nondiabetics degraded 2.22 +/- 0.73%, whereas diabetic fluid degraded significantly more (6.13 +/- 1.48%; P < 0.05). In patients with diabetes, the degradation of insulin by wound fluid correlated with glucose control (hemoglobin A(1c); r(2) = 0.5353; P < 0.001), and patients with worse outcomes (i.e. amputation) had higher wound fluid insulin degradation. The biochemical characteristics of insulin degradation in the wound fluid were consistent with the characteristics of insulin-degrading enzyme. These data suggest that glucose control is a critical factor in wound healing, but a reduction in the insulin-degrading activity in the wound fluid is also a potential therapeutic target.     

双套管冲洗负压吸引技术在Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者伤口的应用

目的了解双套管冲洗负压吸引技术在Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者中应用的可行性。方法2011年1月至2012年2月,选取在我科住院确诊的Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者（均为单足）共36例,其中男15例、女21例,按随机数字表法分为试验组17例,年龄（63±8）岁;对照组19例,年龄（65±6）岁。对照组实施脓肿切开引流术后常规换药,试验组实施脓肿切开引流术后置人双套管持续冲洗吸引,至引流液澄清拔除双套管,采用常规换药,观察两组患者创面愈合情况。统计学分析采用卡方检验和t检验。结果试验组17例患者中,14例完全愈合,3例明显好转,治愈率达82．4％。对照组19例有8例治愈,8例好转,治愈率42．1％,差异有统计学意义（x^2=6．12,P〈0．05）。对照组3例经1个月换药等综合治疗后未见明显好转,其中包括2例在治疗期间病情恶化经截肢术处理。试验组患者创面愈合时间（20±3）d,对照组为（29±4）d,差异有统计学意义（t=6．5,P〈0．001）。结论双套管冲洗负压吸引技术可促进Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者伤口的愈合,减轻患者疼痛,并减少截肢的发生。     

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND: The cause of diabetic foot ulcers is multifactorial, e.g., neuropathy and angiopathy, leading to functional disturbances in the macrocirculation and skin microcirculation. Adequate tissue oxygen tension is an essential factor in infection control and wound healing. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, daily sessions of oxygen breathing at 2.5-bar increased pressure in a hyperbaric chamber, has beneficial actions on wound healing including antimicrobial action, prevention of edema and stimulation of fibroblasts. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effect of HBO in treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS: Thirty-eight diabetic patients (30 males) with chronic foot ulcers were investigated in a prospective study. The mean age was 60+/-13 years and the mean diabetes duration 27+/-14 years. All patients were evaluated with measurements of transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPO(2)), peripheral blood pressure, and HbA(1c). All patients had a basal tcPO(2) value lower than 40 mmHg, which increased to >/=100 mmHg, or at least three times the basic value, during inhalation of pure oxygen. Seventeen patients underwent 40-60 sessions of HBO therapy, while 21 patients were treated conventionally. The follow-up time was 3 years. RESULTS: 76% of the patients treated with HBO (Group A) had healed with intact skin at a follow-up time of 3 years. The corresponding value for patients treated conventionally (Group B) was 48%. Seven patients (33%) in Group B compared to two patients (12%) in Group A went to amputation. Peripheral blood pressure, HbA(1c), diabetes duration, and basal values of tcPO(2) were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive HBO therapy can be valuable for treating selected cases of hypoxic diabetic foot ulcers. It seems to accelerate the rate of healing, reduce the need for amputation, and increase the number of wounds that are completely healed on long-term follow-up. Additional studies are needed to further define the role of HBO, as part of a multidisciplinary program, to preserve a functional extremity, and reduce the short- and long-term costs of amputation and disability.     

Preparing the wound for healing: the effect of activated polyacrylate dressing on debridement

Activated polyacrylate dressings facilitate wound debridement by retaining moisture while attracting and retaining proteins and bacteria. A 55-patient retrospective study was conducted to quantify the effect of this dressing on debridement of chronic wounds in clinical practice. All patients attended one of four outpatient wound clinics between June 1, 2001 and February 10, 2002 and received treatment with the polyacrylate dressing for an average of 3.9 weeks (SD 4.1). During that time, the rate of wound necrotic tissue debridement was 37.7% per week. Older patients (>80 years of age) had significantly lower rates of wound debridement (mean 18.1% per week) than those <51 years of age (mean 36% per week, P = 0.009). Other variables (age, wound type, wound duration and diagnosis of diabetes) were not found to significantly affect the rate of wound debridement. Wound debridement rates of commonly available modalities are largely unknown. However, these results suggest that activated polyacrylate dressings are an effective, atraumatic, and easy-to-use method of debriding chronic wounds.     

Vacuum-assisted closure versus saline-moistened gauze in the healing of postoperative diabetic foot wounds

Diabetic foot wounds present a great challenge to wound care practitioners. The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.) therapy would afford quicker wound resolution as compared to saline-moistened gauze in the treatment of postoperative diabetic foot wounds. Ten patients were randomized into either the experimental V.A.C. group or control saline gauze group. Included in the study were diabetic patients 18 to 75 years of age who had a nonhealing foot ulceration. Excluded were those patients with venous disease, coagulopathy, or those who had active infections not resolved by initial surgical debridement. All foot ulcers were surgically debrided prior to initiation of V.A.C. or gauze treatment. In the experimental group, V.A.C. dressings were applied in accordance with manufacturer's protocol for chronic wounds and changed every 48 hours. In the control group, saline gauze dressings were applied at the time of surgical debridement and changed twice a day thereafter. Measurements and photos were obtained to document wound progress. Main outcome measures included: 1) time to satisfactory healing (calculated from date of initial debridement to date of definitive closure, and 2) change in wound surface area (calculated from initial wound tracing to final tracing). Satisfactory healing in the V.A.C. group was achieved in 22.8 (+/- 17.4) days, compared to 42.8 (+/- 32.5) days in the control group. Surface area changes of 28.4% (+/- 24.3) average decrease in wound size in the V.A.C. group, compared to a 9.5% (+/- 16.9) average increase in the control group during measurement period.     

New and experimental approaches to treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: a comprehensive review of emerging treatment strategies.

Diabetic foot ulcers occur in up to 15% of all diabetic patients and are a leading cause of nontraumatic amputation worldwide. Neuropathy, abnormal foot biomechanics, peripheral vascular disease and external trauma are the major contributors to the development of a foot ulcer in the diabetic patient. Therapy today includes repeated debridement, offloading, and dressings, for lower grade ulcers, and broad spectrum antibiotics and occasionally limited or complete amputation for higher grades, requiring a team effort of health care workers from various specialties. The large population affected by diabetic foot ulcers and the high rates of failure ending with amputation even with the best therapeutic regimens, have resulted in the development of new therapies and are the focus of this review. These include new off loading techniques, dressings from various materials, methods to promote wound closure using artificial skin grafts, different growth factors or wound bed modulators and methods of debridement. These new techniques are promising but still mostly unproven and traditional approaches cannot be replaced. New and generally more expensive therapies should be seen as adding to traditional approaches.     

A prospective, open-label study to assess the clinical performance of a foam dressing in the management of chronic wounds

Polyurethane foam dressings are used to help absorb wound exudate while maintaining a moist wound environment. To assess the clinical performance of a foam dressing, a prospective, open-label evaluation of 57 outpatients (mean age 69 years) with delayed/non-healing wounds (one per patient, average duration 1.4 +/- 4.1 years) of different etiologies was conducted in 15 medical centers in Germany. Physicians assessed the clinical appearance of the wound bed, periwound skin, and exudate level at the beginning and final evaluation and dressing performance characteristics were rated. Patients were asked to assess their wound pain as none, mild, moderate, or strong. After three dressing changes (performed approximately 3 days apart), slough and necrotic tissue on the wound surface changed from an average of 54% (+/- 33%) to 29% (+/- 25%). At baseline, granulation tissue covered an average of 41% (+/- 31%) of the wound bed compared to 59% (+/- 24%) at the final assessment and the proportion of wounds assessed as heavily exudating decreased from 32% to 11%. During the evaluation, the proportion of patients without periwound skin problems increased from 49% to 66% and the percentage of patients with wound pain decreased from 45% to 26%. Between 80% and 90% of the participating physicians rated the product attributes assessed as "very good" or "good."     

2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections

Foot infections are a common and serious problem in persons with diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) typically begin in a wound, most often a neuropathic ulceration. While all wounds are colonized with microorganisms, the presence of infection is defined by ≥2 classic findings of inflammation or purulence. Infections are then classified into mild (superficial and limited in size and depth), moderate (deeper or more extensive), or severe (accompanied by systemic signs or metabolic perturbations). This classification system, along with a vascular assessment, helps determine which patients should be hospitalized, which may require special imaging procedures or surgical interventions, and which will require amputation. Most DFIs are polymicrobial, with aerobic gram-positive cocci (GPC), and especially staphylococci, the most common causative organisms. Aerobic gram-negative bacilli are frequently copathogens in infections that are chronic or follow antibiotic treatment, and obligate anaerobes may be copathogens in ischemic or necrotic wounds. Wounds without evidence of soft tissue or bone infection do not require antibiotic therapy. For infected wounds, obtain a post-debridement specimen (preferably of tissue) for aerobic and anaerobic culture. Empiric antibiotic therapy can be narrowly targeted at GPC in many acutely infected patients, but those at risk for infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms or with chronic, previously treated, or severe infections usually require broader spectrum regimens. Imaging is helpful in most DFIs; plain radiographs may be sufficient, but magnetic resonance imaging is far more sensitive and specific. Osteomyelitis occurs in many diabetic patients with a foot wound and can be difficult to diagnose (optimally defined by bone culture and histology) and treat (often requiring surgical debridement or resection, and/or prolonged antibiotic therapy). Most DFIs require some surgical intervention, ranging from minor (debridement) to major (resection, amputation). Wounds must also be properly dressed and off-loaded of pressure, and patients need regular follow-up. An ischemic foot may require revascularization, and some nonresponding patients may benefit from selected adjunctive measures. Employing multidisciplinary foot teams improves outcomes. Clinicians and healthcare organizations should attempt to monitor, and thereby improve, their outcomes and processes in caring for DFIs.     

Executive summary: 2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections

Foot infections are a common and serious problem in persons with diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) typically begin in a wound, most often a neuropathic ulceration. While all wounds are colonized with microorganisms, the presence of infection is defined by ≥2 classic findings of inflammation or purulence. Infections are then classified into mild (superficial and limited in size and depth), moderate (deeper or more extensive), or severe (accompanied by systemic signs or metabolic perturbations). This classification system, along with a vascular assessment, helps determine which patients should be hospitalized, which may require special imaging procedures or surgical interventions, and which will require amputation. Most DFIs are polymicrobial, with aerobic gram-positive cocci (GPC), and especially staphylococci, the most common causative organisms. Aerobic gram-negative bacilli are frequently copathogens in infections that are chronic or follow antibiotic treatment, and obligate anaerobes may be copathogens in ischemic or necrotic wounds. Wounds without evidence of soft tissue or bone infection do not require antibiotic therapy. For infected wounds, obtain a post-debridement specimen (preferably of tissue) for aerobic and anaerobic culture. Empiric antibiotic therapy can be narrowly targeted at GPC in many acutely infected patients, but those at risk for infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms or with chronic, previously treated, or severe infections usually require broader spectrum regimens. Imaging is helpful in most DFIs; plain radiographs may be sufficient, but magnetic resonance imaging is far more sensitive and specific. Osteomyelitis occurs in many diabetic patients with a foot wound and can be difficult to diagnose (optimally defined by bone culture and histology) and treat (often requiring surgical debridement or resection, and/or prolonged antibiotic therapy). Most DFIs require some surgical intervention, ranging from minor (debridement) to major (resection, amputation). Wounds must also be properly dressed and off-loaded of pressure, and patients need regular follow-up. An ischemic foot may require revascularization, and some nonresponding patients may benefit from selected adjunctive measures. Employing multidisciplinary foot teams improves outcomes. Clinicians and healthcare organizations should attempt to monitor, and thereby improve, their outcomes and processes in caring for DFIs.     

Determinants and estimation of healing times in diabetic foot ulcers

AIMS: To assess the wound size reduction and time course for healing and to establish equations to predict the time course of wound healing in neuropathic, neuroischemic, and ischemic diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS: This prospective study evaluates wound healing over at least a 10-week period in 31 Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic patients with plantar foot ulcers. Thirteen consecutive diabetic patients with neuropathic foot ulceration, 10 consecutive diabetic patients with neuroischemic ulceration, and 8 diabetic patients with peripheral occlusive vascular disease were selected for the study. All patients received identical ulcer wound care including use of proper footwear, non-weight-bearing limb support, use of appropriate antibiotics, debridement, tight control of serum glucose levels, and careful monitoring of the ulcer. Ulcer healing was assessed by planimetric measurement of the wound area every second week until wound healing. The time course of wound healing was calculated by the daily wound radius reduction. RESULTS: The wound area (mean+/-S.E.) in the patients with neuropathic foot ulceration was 61.2+/-17.1 at the beginning and 3.2+/-1.5 mm(2) after 70 days (P=.005). The wound radius decreased by 0.045 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.039-0.055) per day, with most of the wound healing being achieved between the first and seventh week of ulcer care. The average healing time was 77.7 (95% CI 62-93) days. In the neuroischemic group, the initial average wound area was 26.6+/-7.0 mm(2), and 6.25+/-1.7 mm(2) after 10 weeks (P=.007). The wound radius reduction was 0.019 mm/day (95% CI 0.017-0.023) with an average healing time of 123.4 (95% CI 101-145) days. The diabetic patients with peripheral occlusive vascular disease had an average wound size of 32.6+/-13.1 at the beginning and 23.9+/-10.7 mm(2) after 70 days of ulcer care (P=.06). The daily wound radius reduction was 0.0065 mm (95% CI 0.0039-0.0091). Average ulcer duration was 133 (95% CI 116-149) days, but three of eight patients achieved no wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: Providing standard care, the time course of wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers is predominantly determined by etiologic factors, and less by wound size. Taking wound etiology and wound radius into account, the expected healing time can reliably be estimated in neuropathic and neuroischemic ulcers.     

复方氨基酸脂质体营养敷料联合术优康在糖尿病足溃疡患者中的临床应用效果观察

目的探讨复方氨基酸脂质体营养敷料(创玉舒)和聚氨基葡萄糖羧酸钠生物胶体液(术优康)在糖尿病足溃疡患者中的运用效果。方法选取该院2015年1月—2019年9月收治的104例糖尿病足溃疡患者作为研究对象,基于随机数字表法分成观察组和对照组,每组52例;对照组采取基础治疗加传统创面处理方法,观察组在基础治疗和传统创面处理基础上,采取术优康联合创玉舒处理创面,对比分析两组创面愈合速度和总体临床疗效。结果观察组在第2、4、6、8周溃疡创面愈合速度明显快于对照组(P<0.01);观察组总有效率为92.31%,高于对照组的69.23%。结论复方氨基酸脂质体营养敷料和聚氨基葡萄糖羧酸钠生物胶体液在治疗糖尿病足溃疡患者中效果显著。     

Risk factors associated with healing chronic diabetic foot ulcers: the importance of hyperglycemia

Diabetic foot ulcer management presents a significant challenge for wound care clinicians; numerous approaches to encourage healing in these difficult wounds have been explored. To determine risk factors related to diabetic foot ulcer time to healing and closure, a secondary analysis of data from a prospective randomized study involving 245 patients treated with a bioengineered human dermal substitute (n = 130) or control treatment (n = 115) was conducted. Analyzed variables included age, race, gender, ulcer duration, initial ulcer size, initial hemoglobin (HgbA1c), average HgbA1c, change in HgbA1c, diabetes type, average hours of weight-bearing, study ulcer infection, history of smoking or alcohol use, and laboratory values. Time to healing was significantly affected by initial ulcer size (risk ratio 0.75, confidence interval 0.59-0.96), gender (risk ratio 2.01, confidence interval 1.20-3.40), and wound infection during the study (risk ratio 2.9, confidence interval 1.45-4.22). Initial ulcer size (>2 cm2), male gender, and an episode of infection during the study were associated with an increased risk of nonclosure after 12 weeks of care (P <0.05). In patients whose HgbA1C increased during the study (n = 101), 20.7% of all wounds and 21% of dermal substitute-managed wounds (n = 105) healed; whereas, in patients whose HgbA1C levels remained stable or decreased, 26.3% of all wounds and 47% of dermal substitute-managed wounds healed (P <0.05). Female gender, small ulcer size, and the absence of infection were found to have a positive effect on healing all diabetic foot ulcers; improved glucose control had a significant effect on healing wounds managed with the dermal substitute only. This is the first diabetic foot ulcer study to find a relationship between hyperglycemia and wound healing. Further research into factors that improve healing of wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, is warranted.