Nitric oxide–generating dressing holds promise for diabetic foot ulcers

April 19, 2018|Dermatology News

FROM WOUND REPAIR AND REGENERATION

“The critical factors that delay the healing of diabetic foot ulcers are ischemia and infection,” Dr. Edmonds said. “Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in maintaining the microvascular supply and infection control in the skin, and its absence in diabetes contributes to poor ulcer healing. EDX110 generates a sustained release of nitric oxide which can treat both infection and ischemia simultaneously.”

Researchers randomly assigned patients with chronic DFUs – including some with infections – to a control group (n = 73) or a treatment group that received the experimental dressing (n = 75). The study protocol was changed partway through to allow patients with DFUs of at least 14 days duration to participate instead of just those with DFUs in place for at least 6 weeks.

The average age of patients in both groups was 59 years, and males made up 82%-87% of the total. Some had more than 1 ulcer.

All patients received standard DFU care for their institution with the exception of members of the treatment group, who were given the EDX110 dressing. Participants were treated for 12 weeks or until their ulcers healed followed by a 12-week follow-up period.