Clinical evaluation of a semipermeable polymeric membrane dressing for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the utility of a semipermeable polymeric membrane dressing for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers.


METHODS
Nineteen subjects with either insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and foot ulcers were randomly assigned to the polymeric dressing or conventional wet-to-dry saline dressings. Subjects had foot ulcer site measurements performed every 3 weeks. The subjects using conventional therapy were allowed to cross over to polymeric dressing after 2 months.


RESULTS
At the end of 2 months, in the patients using the polymeric dressing, ulcer size was reduced to 35 +/- 16% of baseline. The patients on conventional therapy had an ulcer size of 105 +/- 28% of baseline (P < 0.03, polymeric vs. conventional). Patients initially treated with wet-to-dry saline were crossed over into the polymeric membrane treatment and demonstrated a decrease to 35 +/- 11% of baseline size (p < 0.02) after an additional 2 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The semipermeable polymeric membrane dressing is a useful therapeutic option for treating uncomplicated chronic diabetic foot ulcers.
Department of Medicine, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois.
J D
JD
Blackman
D
D
Senseng
L
L
Quinn
T
T
Mazzone
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014945:Wound Healing
C088317:Polymem; D011140:Polyurethanes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D005990:Glycerol