title: Evaluation of the moisturizer Pédimed(®) in the foot care of diabetic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Xerosis is one of the most common abnormalities observed in the diabetic foot, promoting ulceration through the development of fissures and hyperkeratosis. Its treatment is therefore paramount and must be implemented early on. The objective of this study was to assess the moisturizing properties of Pédimed(®) cream in the treatment of foot xerosis in diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized double-blind study, Pédimed(®) and its placebo were randomly allocated to the right/left foot of each patient (one active/one control side). Products were applied twice daily for 4 weeks. Xerosis was assessed using the clinical Xerosis Assessment Scale (XAS), corneometry (skin hydration measurement) and D-Squame(®) (scale sample analysis) after 14 (D14) and 28 (D28) days of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four men and 30 women, aged 57.0±12.7 years, with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and moderate-to-severe foot xerosis were included. A dramatic decrease in XAS score that was more marked with Pédimed(®) than with placebo was observed from D14 (38.1% vs 20.9%, P<0.0001), reaching 61.9% vs 34.9% at D28 (P<0.0001). The number of feet with fissures was greatly reduced with Pédimed(®) compared with placebo at both D14 (11.1% vs 22.2%, P=0.031) and D28 (5.6% vs 18.5%, P=0.039). Skin hydration increased by 48.9% with Pédimed(®) vs 31.7% with placebo at D14 (P=0.0002), reaching 57.3% vs 36.5% at D28 (P<0.0001). All D-Squame(®) parameters showed greater improvement with Pédimed(®). Product tolerability was excellent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Validated clinical and paraclinical tools demonstrated the efficacy of Pédimed(®) in improving xerosis and reducing fissures of the feet in diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche Pierre-Fabre, CRDPF Toulouse Langlade, 3, avenue Hubert-Curien, 31035 Toulouse cedex 1, France. eric.garrigue@pierre-fabre.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garrigue
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cousty-Pech
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rouquier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Degouy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004643:Emollients; D010919:Placebos