Clinical Evaluation of a Semipermeable Polymeric Membrane Dressing for the Treatment of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utility of a semipermeable polymeric membrane dressing for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND 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.