Safety and effectiveness of therapeutic magnetic resonance in diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective randomised controlled trial

Effectiveness of interventions to enhance healing of chronic foot ulcers in diabetes: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

It is critical that interventions used to enhance the healing of chronic foot ulcers in diabetes are backed by high-quality evidence and cost-effectiveness. In previous years, the systematic review accompanying guidelines published by the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot performed 4-yearly updates of previous searches, including trials of prospective, cross-sectional and case-control design.

AIMS

Due to a need to re-evaluate older studies against newer standards of reporting and assessment of risk of bias, we performed a whole new search from conception, but limiting studies to randomised control trials only.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this systematic review, we searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases for published studies on randomised control trials of interventions to enhance healing of diabetes-related foot ulcers. We only included trials comparing interventions to standard of care. Two independent reviewers selected articles for inclusion and assessed relevant outcomes as well as methodological quality.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 22,250 articles, of which 262 were selected for full text review across 10 categories of interventions. Overall, the certainty of evidence for a majority of wound healing interventions was low or very low, with moderate evidence existing for two interventions (sucrose-octasulfate and leucocyte, platelet and fibrin patch) and low quality evidence for a further four (hyperbaric oxygen, topical oxygen, placental derived products and negative pressure wound therapy). The majority of interventions had insufficient evidence.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the evidence to support any other intervention to enhance wound healing is lacking and further high-quality randomised control trials are encouraged.

Guidelines on interventions to enhance healing of foot ulcers in people with diabetes (IWGDF 2023 update)

AIMS

Principles of wound management, including debridement, wound bed preparation, and newer technologies involving alternation of wound physiology to facilitate healing, are of utmost importance when attempting to heal a chronic diabetes-related foot ulcer. However, the rising incidence and costs of diabetes-related foot ulcer management necessitate that interventions to enhance wound healing of chronic diabetes-related foot ulcers are supported by high-quality evidence of efficacy and cost effectiveness when used in conjunction with established aspects of gold-standard multidisciplinary care. This is the 2023 International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) evidence-based guideline on wound healing interventions to promote healing of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes. It serves as an update of the 2019 IWGDF guideline.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We followed the GRADE approach by devising clinical questions and important outcomes in the Patient-Intervention-Control-Outcome (PICO) format, undertaking a systematic review, developing summary of judgements tables, and writing recommendations and rationale for each question. Each recommendation is based on the evidence found in the systematic review and, using the GRADE summary of judgement items, including desirable and undesirable effects, certainty of evidence, patient values, resources required, cost effectiveness, equity, feasibility, and acceptability, we formulated recommendations that were agreed by the authors and reviewed by independent experts and stakeholders.

RESULTS

From the results of the systematic review and evidence-to-decision making process, we were able to make 29 separate recommendations. We made a number of conditional supportive recommendations for the use of interventions to improve healing of foot ulcers in people with diabetes. These include the use of sucrose octasulfate dressings, the use of negative pressure wound therapies for post-operative wounds, the use of placental-derived products, the use of the autologous leucocyte/platelet/fibrin patch, the use of topical oxygen therapy, and the use of hyperbaric oxygen. Although in all cases it was stressed that these should be used where best standard of care was not able to heal the wound alone and where resources were available for the interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

These wound healing recommendations should support improved outcomes for people with diabetes and ulcers of the foot, and we hope that widescale implementation will follow. However, although the certainty of much of the evidence on which to base the recommendations is improving, it remains poor overall. We encourage not more, but better quality trials including those with a health economic analysis, into this area.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Management and Treatment: An Overview of Published Patents

BACKGROUND

One of the most challenging effects of diabetes is diabetic foot ulceration (DFU). DFU may occur in up to one-third of individuals with diabetes mellitus (D.M.) at some point in their lives. The major cause of morbidity in D.M. patients is DFU. The length of treatment is difficult, and DFU recurrence is common.

OBJECTIVE

The most crucial element for the treatment and prevention of DFUs require a multidisciplinary approach. Patients who are at risk should be identified, depending on the type of risk, prophylactic actions etc. It is imperative to identify at-risk patients and take preventative measures accordingly.

METHOD

The at-risk diabetes-related foot ulcer was identified based on the risk category classification, while the foot ulcers were evaluated using Wagner's classification system.

RESULTS

Literature reported that patients with lower limb vascular insufficiency, loss of vibratory sensation, or protective sensation loss have an increased risk of developing foot ulcers. Proper categorization and therapeutic measures will be implemented after the DFU has been formed. The appropriate assessment and management of general health status should include glycemic control, the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease, standard care for wounds, diagnosis, and infection treatments.

CONCLUSION

The review reflects the updated awareness of the treatment and management of DFU based on the current and past literature and patent analysis.

Nonpharmacological Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An Update

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as substantial economic burden for the health care system. The standard of care for DFUs includes pressure off-loading, sharp debridement, and wound moisture balance, along with infection control and management of peripheral arterial disease. A variety of advanced modalities that target distinct pathophysiological aspects of impaired wound healing in diabetes are being studied as possible adjunct therapies for difficult to heal ulcers. These modalities include growth factors, stem cells, cultured fibroblasts and keratinocytes, bioengineered skin substitutes, acellular bioproducts, human amniotic membranes, oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, and energy therapies. Additionally, the use of advanced biomaterials and gene delivery systems is being investigated as a method of effective delivery of substances to the wound bed. In the present narrative review, we outline the latest advances in the nonpharmacological management of DFUs and summarize the efficacy of various standard and advanced treatment modalities.

Effectiveness of interventions to enhance healing of chronic foot ulcers in diabetes: a systematic review

The management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) remains a challenge, and there is continuing uncertainty concerning optimal approaches to wound healing. The International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) working group on wound healing has previously published systematic reviews of the evidence in 2008, 2012 and 2016 to inform protocols for routine care and to highlight areas which should be considered for further study. The working group has now updated this review by considering papers on the interventions to improve the healing of DFU's published between June 2014 and August 2018. Methodological quality of selected studies was independently assessed by a minimum of two reviewers using the recently published 21-point questionnaire as recommended by IWGDF/European Wound Management Association, as well as the previously incorporated Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. Of the 2275 papers identified, 97 were finally selected for grading following full text review. Overall, there has been an improvement in study design and a significant rise in the number of published studies. While previous systematic reviews did not find any evidence to justify the use of newer therapies, except for negative pressure wound therapy in post-surgical wounds, in this review we found additional evidence to support some interventions including a sucrose-octasulfate dressing, the combined leucocyte, fibrin and platelet patch as well as topical application of some placental membrane products, all when used in addition to usual best care. Nonetheless, the assessment and comparison of published trials remains difficult with marked clinical heterogeneity between studies: in patient selection, study duration, standard of usual care provision and the timing and description of the clinical endpoints.

Guidelines on use of interventions to enhance healing of chronic foot ulcers in diabetes (IWGDF 2019 update)

The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) has published evidence-based guidelines on the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease since 1999. In conjunction with advice from internal and external reviewers and expert consultants in the field, this update is based on a systematic review of the literature centred on the following: the Population (P), Intervention (I), Comparator (C) and Outcomes (O) framework; the use of the SIGN guideline/Cochrane review system; and the 21 point scoring system advocated by IWGDF/EWMA. This has resulted in 13 recommendations. The recommendation on sharp debridement and the selection of dressings remain unchanged from the last recommendations published in 2016. The recommendation to consider negative pressure wound therapy in post-surgical wounds and the judicious use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in certain non-healing ischaemic ulcers also remains unchanged. Recommendations against the use of growth factors, autologous platelet gels, bioengineered skin products, ozone, topical carbon dioxide, nitric oxide or interventions reporting improvement of ulcer healing through an alteration of the physical environment or through other systemic medical or nutritional means also remain. New recommendations include consideration of the use of sucrose-octasulfate impregnated dressings in difficult to heal neuro-ischaemic ulcers and consideration of the use of autologous combined leucocyte, platelet and fibrin patch in ulcers that are difficult to heal, in both cases when used in addition to best standard of care. A further new recommendation is the consideration of topical placental derived products when used in addition to best standard of care.

MicroRNA‑22 alleviates inflammation in ischemic stroke via p38 MAPK pathways

The present study aimed to ascertain the potential roles and mechanisms of action of micro (mi)RNA-22 in ischemic stroke. The results indicated that miRNA-22 expression was downregulated in ischemic stroke rats model, compared with a control group. The downregulation of miRNA-22 upregulated the expression of inflammatory factors [including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-18]. It could also induce the expression of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in the in vitro model. By contrast, the overexpression of miRNA-22 downregulated the expression of inflammatory factors, and suppressed the expression of MIP-2, PGE2, COX-2 and iNOS in the in vitro model. The downregulation of miRNA-22 induced the protein expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and phosphorylated-p38 (p-p38) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the in vitro model. By comparison, the overexpression of miRNA-22 suppressed the protein expression of NF-κB and p-p38 in the in vitro model. Typically, LY2228820, the p38 inhibitor (3 nM) would mitigate the pro-inflammatory effects of anti-miRNA-22 in the in vitro model. These results suggested that miRNA-22 can alleviate ischemic stroke-induced inflammation in rats model or vitro model through p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway suppression.

Update on management of diabetic foot ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes that results in significant morbidity and mortality. Mortality rates associated with the development of a DFU are estimated to be 5% in the first 12 months, and 5-year morality rates have been estimated at 42%. The standard practices in DFU management include surgical debridement, dressings to facilitate a moist wound environment and exudate control, wound off-loading, vascular assessment, and infection and glycemic control. These practices are best coordinated by a multidisciplinary diabetic foot wound clinic. Even with this comprehensive approach, there is still room for improvement in DFU outcomes. Several adjuvant therapies have been studied to reduce DFU healing times and amputation rates. We reviewed the rationale and guidelines for current standard of care practices and reviewed the evidence for the efficacy of adjuvant agents. The adjuvant therapies reviewed include the following categories: nonsurgical debridement agents, dressings and topical agents, oxygen therapies, negative pressure wound therapy, acellular bioproducts, human growth factors, energy-based therapies, and systemic therapies. Many of these agents have been found to be beneficial in improving wound healing rates, although a large proportion of the data are small, randomized controlled trials with high risks of bias.

Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with Therapeutic Magnetic Resonance (TMR®) improves the quality of granulation tissue

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) often result in severely adverse outcomes, such as serious infections, hospitalization, and lower extremity amputations. In last few years, to improve the outcome of DFUs, clinicians and researchers put their attention on the application of low intensity pulsating electro-magnetic fields through Therapeutic Magnetic Resonance (TMR®). In our study, patients with DFUs have been divided into two groups: The Sham Group treated with non-functioning TMR® device, and the Active Group treated with a functioning device. Biopsies were recovered from ulcers before and after a 15-day treatment with both kind of TMR® device. To recognize signs of inflammation or healing process, the harvested biopsies were subjected to histological and molecular analyses. The histological analysis showed a change in cell population after treatment with TMR®: an increase of fibroblasts and endothelial cells with a reduction of inflammatory cells. After TMR® application, the gene expression profile analysis revealed an improvement in extracellular matrix components such as matrix metalloproteinases, collagens and integrins, a reduction in pro-inflammatory interleukins, and an increase in growth factors expression. In conclusion, our research has identified histological and molecular features of reduced inflammation and increased cell proliferation during the wound healing process in response to TMR® application.