Older patients' experiences and perceptions of having their wounds treated with medical-grade honey

Clinical performance and quality of life impact of an absorbent bacteria-binding foam dressing

The aim of this prospective multicentre observational study was to assess the clinical performance and safety of Cutimed® Siltec® Sorbact® absorbent bacteria-binding foam dressing in wound healing and its impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). The study was conducted under routine clinical conditions in 5 study sites in Germany and Poland. Each patient with a venous leg ulcer (VLU) or a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) was observed for 28 days (initial visit and close-out visit, as well as 3 control visits). An assessment of QoL of the patient was undertaken before and after the study. Sixty-two patients were included in the statistical analysis. Clinicians rated the following assessment parameters in relation to Cutimed Siltec Sorbact dressings as 'very good' to 'good': wearing comfort (rated by the patient), application and removal, exudate absorption with or without compression and fluid retention capacity with or without compression and infection management. The use of Cutimed Siltec Sorbact dressing was beneficial in absorbing wound exudate (chi-square=28.45, P value<0.001), reduction of the viscosity of wound exudate (chi-square=25.63, P value<0.001), and there were more intact, less macerated, red and oedematous wound surroundings. There was also a 9% decrease in the number of infected wounds at the close-out visit. Analysis of the Wound-QoL measures demonstrated a reduction in the perception of performance parameters associated with wound infection. It can therefore be deduced that the use of Cutimed Siltec Sorbact was effective in wound management and had positive implications for patients' QoL.