title: Effectiveness of papain gel in venous ulcer treatment: randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to assess the effectiveness of 2% papain gel compared to 2% carboxymethyl cellulose in the treatment of chronic venous ulcer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  randomized controlled clinical trial with 12-week follow-up. The sample consisted of 18 volunteers and 28 venous ulcers. In the trial group, 2% papain gel was used and, in the control group, 2% carboxymethyl cellulose gel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the trial group showed a significant reduction in the lesion area, especially between the fifth and twelfth week of treatment, with two healed ulcers and a considerable increase in the amount of epithelial tissue in the wound bed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  2% papain gel demonstrated greater effectiveness in the reduction of the lesion area, but was similar to 2% carboxymethyl cellulose gel regarding the reduction in the amount of exudate and devitalized tissue. Multicenter research is suggested to evidence the effectiveness of 2% papain gel in the healing of venous ulcers. UTN number: U1111-1157-2998.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Federal da Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR.
authors.forename: Ana Luiza Soares
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, BR.
authors.forename: Beatriz Guitton Renaud Baptista
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, BR.
authors.forename: Débora Omena
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Futuro
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BR.
authors.forename: Silvia Regina
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Secoli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010206:Papain / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D010206:Papain; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium