Evaluation of the moisturizer Pédimed(®) in the foot care of diabetic patients

Cutaneous changes in diabetic patients: Primed for aberrant healing?

Cutaneous manifestations affect most patients with diabetes mellitus, clinically presenting with numerous dermatologic diseases from xerosis to diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Skin conditions not only impose a significantly impaired quality of life on individuals with diabetes but also predispose patients to further complications. Knowledge of cutaneous biology and the wound healing process under diabetic conditions is largely limited to animal models, and studies focusing on biology of the human condition of DFUs remain limited. In this review, we discuss the critical molecular, cellular, and structural changes to the skin in the hyperglycaemic and insulin-resistant environment of diabetes with a focus specifically on human-derived data. Elucidating the breadth of the cutaneous manifestations coupled with effective diabetes management is important for improving patient quality of life and averting future complications including wound healing disorders.

Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis - a position paper

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

Xerosis cutis (also referred to as xeroderma, dry skin, asteatosis) affects more than 10 million individuals in Germany. It is among the most common dermatological diagnoses and a cardinal symptom of many dermatological, internal and neurological diseases. Even though it has been established that basic skin care plays a significant role in the management of patients with xerosis cutis, there are as yet no evidence-based algorithms for diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The present position paper provides physicians across all specialties with a practical, symptom-based approach to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis.

METHODS

Within a structured decision-making process, a panel of experienced dermatologists first defined questions relevant to everyday clinical practice, which were then addressed by a systematic review of the literature. Based on the evidence available as well as expert consensus, diagnostic and treatment algorithms were subsequently developed and agreed upon.

RESULTS

Xerosis cutis is generally diagnosed on clinical grounds. Possible trigger factors must be avoided, and comorbidities should be adequately and specifically treated. Suitable skin care products should be chosen with a view to improving skin hydration and restoring its barrier function. They should therefore contain both rehydrating and lipid-replenishing components. The "drier" the skin appears, the greater the lipid content should be (preferably using water-in-oil formulations). The choice of ingredients is based on a patient's individual symptoms, such as scaling (e.g., urea), fissures/rhagades (e.g., urea or dexpanthenol), erythema (e.g., licochalcone A) and pruritus (e.g., polidocanol). Other factors to be considered include the site affected and patient age. Ingredients or rather combinations thereof for which there is good clinical evidence should be preferentially used. The best evidence by far is available for urea, whose efficacy in the treatment of xerosis is further enhanced by combining it with other natural moisturizing components and ceramides. The "xerosimeter" is a tool developed in an effort to facilitate patient management and for training purposes. It not only includes practical tools for diagnosis and follow-up but also a classification of ingredients and a structured treatment algorithm.

CONCLUSION

The structured symptom- and evidence-based approach proposed herein contains a road map for diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis. It aims to raise awareness in terms of prevention and early treatment of this condition and may thus improve quality of life and prevent potential sequelae.

Effectiveness of Two Moisturizers in the Treatment of Foot Xerosis A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND:

Xerosis (dryness) of the foot is commonly encountered in clinical care and can lead to discomfort, pain, and predisposition to infection. Many moisturizing products are available, with little definitive research to recommend any particular formulation.

METHODS:

We compared two commonly prescribed moisturizing products from different ends of the price spectrum (sorbolene and 25% urea cream) for their effectiveness in reducing xerosis signs using the Specified Symptom Sum Score. A randomized clinical trial of parallel design was conducted over 28 days (February-May 2015) on 41 participants with simple xerosis. Participants, therapists, assessors, and data entry personnel were blinded to treatment, and allocation was determined via a randomization table.

RESULTS:

Thirty-four participants completed the study (19 urea and 15 sorbolene), with one reporting minor adverse effects. There were statistically significant improvements in both groups after 28 days. Mean differences between pre and post scores were 3.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.80 to 4.20) for the urea group and 2.90 (95% CI, 2.00 to 3.80) for the sorbolene group. There was a slightly lower mean posttreatment score in the urea group (1.16; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.64) than in the sorbolene group (1.80; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.35), but this difference was not significant ( P ≤ .09). Effect size of difference was -0.48 (95% CI, -1.16 to 0.22).

CONCLUSIONS:

In this study, there was no difference between using sorbolene or 25% urea cream to treat symptoms of foot xerosis. A recommendation, therefore, cannot be made based on efficacy alone; however, sorbolene treatments are invariably cheaper than urea-based ones.

Treatment by a moisturizer of xerosis and cracks of the feet in men and women with diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

AIM

To evaluate a moisturizer containing urea, glycerine and petrolatum for healing deep open fissures on the feet of people with diabetes. If left untreated, open fissures, an entry point for bacteria, can lead to infection, ulceration and further complications.

METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, multicentre study at 19 hospitals, general practices and diabetologists in France and Belgium included participants with diabetes and a deep open target fissure on their heel. Participants were randomized to test cream or placebo (1 : 1) for 4 weeks. Complete target fissure healing after 4 weeks (primary criterion) and 2 weeks, target fissure closure, overall fissure healing and xerosis were assessed.

RESULTS

Some 167 participants were randomized (80 to test cream; 87 to placebo); all were included in the efficacy analyses. The percentage of participants with complete target fissure healing after 4 weeks was higher with test cream than placebo (46.3% vs. 33.3%): the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.088). Fewer participants still had a deep open target fissure with test cream than placebo, the difference was statistically significant and clinically relevant after 2 (24.7% vs. 42.7%, P = 0.027) and 4 weeks (6.4% vs. 24.1%, P = 0.002). The difference in overall fissure healing between test cream and placebo was significant (P < 0.001) and test cream resulted in greater xerosis improvement (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002 at 2 and 4 weeks, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The activity of the test cream for treating feet fissures of people with diabetes was confirmed by an improvement in open fissure healing and xerosis. The cream was well tolerated.

Moisturisers for the treatment of foot xerosis: a systematic review

Background

Xerosis, literally dryness of the skin, of the foot is a common condition encountered clinically, which can lead to discomfort and predisposition to infection. Currently, there are no evidence-based recommendations on which moisturiser formulations best alleviate xerotic symptoms. The aim of this review was to guide clinical practice in the treatment of primary and diabetes related foot xerosis, by identifying from the existing literature the most effective ingredient or formulation of topical treatments for symptoms of primary foot xerosis in the general population.

Methods

A systematic review of published experimental trials was undertaken. Only studies pertaining to primary xerosis, classified within levels II – IV of the NHRMC hierarchy were reviewed. EMBASE, AMED, Cochrane, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Ageline and SCOPUS were searched using relevant search terms and keywords and pearling of reference lists was undertaken. Studies were evaluated for methodological quality using a critical appraisal tool. Individual active ingredients were identified from all studies, along with observed reported outcomes. A narrative synthesis was then conducted.

Results

A total of 22 experimental studies were included, from which 12 different active ingredients were identified. Study literature consisted of mainly comparative studies against other active interventions or controls, or pre-post-tests and was of a poor-to-moderate methodological quality as assessed by the Epidemiological Appraisal Instrument. Urea was the most researched active ingredient (14 studies), with ammonium lactate being next (7 studies).

Conclusions

No conclusive recommendations were possible due to wide variation in study quality, methodologies and outcome measures. A synthesis of available literature suggests that treatments containing urea as a primary active ingredient have been the most researched. The poor quality of literature generally, however, precludes recommendation of any active ingredient over another.

Skin disorders in diabetes mellitus: an epidemiology and physiopathology review

Skin disorders, usually neglected and frequently underdiagnosed among diabetic patients, are common complications and encounter a broad spectrum of disorders in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)-e.g. cutaneous infection, dry skin, pruritus. Skin disorders are highly associated with increased risk of important outcomes, such as skin lesions, ulcerations and diabetic foot, which can lead to major complications and revolve around multifactorial factors besides hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end products. Although diabetic's skin disorders are consistent in the literature, there is limited data regarding early-stage skin disorders in DM patients. Disease control, early-stage treatment (e.g. skin hydration, orthotic devices) and awareness can reduce morbidity of DM patients. Thus, better understanding of the burden of skin disorders in DM patients may raise awareness on prevention and management. Therefore, the aim of this study is to perform a literature review to evaluate the main clinical characteristics and complications of skin disorders in diabetic's patients. Additionally, physiopathology early-stage skin disorders and dermocosmetic management were also reviewed.

Use of a urea, arginine and carnosine cream versus a standard emollient glycerol cream for treatment of severe xerosis of the feet in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, 8 month, assessor-blinded, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

No long-term data are available regarding the effects of emollients in treating severe foot skin xerosis in patients with diabetes.

STUDY AIM

We evaluated the efficacy of 8 month urea, arginine and carnosine cream (UC) in comparison with a glycerin-based emollient cream (SEC) in type 2 patients with diabetes who had severe foot xerosis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We assessed the effect of UC and SEC on skin hydration in a randomized, assessor-blinded study in 50 patients treated with UC (N = 25) or SEC (N = 25) for 32 weeks with a twice daily application. Primary outcomes were a 9 point Xerosis Assessment Scale (XAS) score and a 4 point Overall Cutaneous Score (OCS), evaluated at baseline and after 4, 12 and 32 weeks. Skin hydration and desquamation were also objectively evaluated by means of a bio-impedance skin analysis device (Hydr8 * ) at baseline and at week 32.

RESULTS

UC induced greater hydration than SEC (p = 0.001) with a 91% reduction at week 32 in XAS score vs. baseline. After 4 weeks, compared with the SEC treated group, the XAS score in the UC treated group was significantly lower. OCS was reduced by 27% from baseline to end of the study in the UC group, and increased by 8% in the SEC group (p = 0.02; between groups). At month 8, skin hydration and desquamation evaluated by the digital skin analysis system statistically improved in UC treated subjects in comparison with baseline and SEC group values. This study was not double-blind. In order to overcome this problem we performed an assessor-blinded evaluation of the primary endpoints and used an objective measurement tool for skin hydration and desquamation assessment.

CONCLUSION

Using a urea, arginine and carnosine cream for 8 months increases skin hydration and improves skin dryness in type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with a glycerol-based emollient cream, with a greater efficacy observed as early as 4 weeks into treatment.

The role of foot self-care behavior on developing foot ulcers in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Although foot self-care behavior is viewed as beneficial for the prevention of diabetic foot ulceration, the effect of foot self-care behavior on the development of diabetic foot ulcer has received little empirical investigation.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between foot self-care practice and the development of diabetic foot ulcers among diabetic neuropathy patients in northern Taiwan.

METHODS

A longitudinal study was conducted at one medical center and one teaching hospital in northern Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 295 diabetic patients who lacked sensitivity to a monofilament were recruited. Five subjects did not provide follow-up data; thus, only the data of 290 subjects were analyzed. The mean age was 67.0 years, and 72.1% had six or fewer years of education.

METHODS

Data were collected by a modified version of the physical assessment portion of the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument and the Diabetes Foot Self-Care Behavior Scale. Cox regression was used to analyze the predictive power of foot self-care behaviors.

RESULTS

A total of 29.3% (n=85) of diabetic neuropathy patients developed a diabetic foot ulcer by the one-year follow-up. The total score on the Diabetes Foot Self-Care Behavior Scale was significantly associated with the risk of developing foot ulcers (HR=1.04, 95% CI=1.01-1.07, p=0.004). After controlling for the demographic variables and the number of diabetic foot ulcer hospitalizations, however, the effect was non-significant (HR=1.03, 95% CI=1.00-1.06, p=0.061). Among the foot self-care behaviors, lotion-applying behavior was the only variable that significantly predicted the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcer, even after controlling for demographic variables and diabetic foot ulcer predictors (neuropathy severity, number of diabetic foot ulcer hospitalizations, insulin treatment, and peripheral vascular disease; HR=1.19, 95% CI=1.04-1.36, p=0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with diabetic neuropathy, foot self-care practice may be insufficient to prevent the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcer. Instead, lotion-applying behavior predicted the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers in diabetic patients with neuropathy. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanism of lotion-applying behavior as it relates to the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcer.

An urea, arginine and carnosine based cream (Ureadin Rx Db ISDIN) shows greater efficacy in the treatment of severe xerosis of the feet in Type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with glycerol-based emollient cream. A randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Xerosis is a common skin disorder frequently observed in diabetic patients. An effective hydration of foot skin in diabetics is a relevant preventive strategy in order to maintain a healthy foot. Urea is considered an effective hydrating and emollient topical product. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical urea 5% with arginine and carnosine (Ureadin Rx Db, ISDIN Spain) (UC) in comparison with glycerol-based emollient topical product (Dexeryl, Pierre Fabre) (EC), in Type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS

We assessed the effect of UC on skin hydration in a randomized, evaluator-blinded comparative study in 40 type II diabetic patients, aged 40-75 years, treated with UC or the comparator for 28 days with a twice-daily application. The principal outcomes were the Dryness Area Severity Index (DASI) Score and the Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for skin dryness evaluated at baseline and at the end of study period by an investigator unaware of treatment allocation.

RESULTS

UC induced significantly greater hydration than EC with an 89% reduction in DASI score (from 1.6 to 0.2; p < 0.001) in comparison with baseline values. After 4 weeks, compared with the control group, DASI score in UC treated group was significantly lower (0.2 vs. 1.0; p = 0.048). VAS score (high values mean better hydration) significantly increased in both groups during treatment. VAS score at the end of treatment period was significantly higher in UC group in comparison with EC group (9.8 vs. 8.2; p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Application of urea 5%, arginine and carnosine cream increases skin hydration and alleviates the condition of skin dryness in Type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with a control glycerol-based emollient product. (Dutch Trials Register trial number 3328).