Clinical evaluation of UrgoStart Plus dressings in real-life conditions: results of a prospective multicentre study on 961 patients

Advanced dressings based on novel biological targets for diabetic wound healing: A review

The diabetic wound is one of the most common complications of diabetes in clinic. The existing diabetic wound dressings all have bottlenecks in decreasing inflammation, stopping peripheral neuropathy, relieving local ischemia and hypoxia in diabetic wounds. These challenges are intricately linked to the roles of various growth factors, as well as matrix metalloproteinases. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of growth factors-particularly their dynamic interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular components-is essential. Cells and proteins that influence the synthesis of growth factors and matrix metalloproteinases emerge as potential therapeutic targets for diabetic wound management. This review discusses the latest advancements in the pathophysiology of diabetic wound healing, highlights novel biological targets, and evaluates new wound dressing strategies designed for the treatment of diabetic wounds.

Effectiveness of Sucrose Octasulfate Dressing in the Treatment of Neuro-Ischaemic Diabetic Foot Heel Ulcers: A Retrospective Single arm Study

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of sucrose octasulfate impregnated dressing (TLC-NOSF [Technology Lipido-Colloid-Nano-OligoSaccharide Factor]) in the management of persons with neuro-ischaemic heel diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Consecutive patients who referred for an active non-infected neuro-ischaemic heel DFU belonging to grade IC (superficial) or IIC (deep to tendons, muscle or capsule) according to Texas University Classification were included. All patients were managed by a pre-set limb salvage protocol in the respect of International guidelines and the TLC-NOSF dressing was used as primary and specific dressing. Patients were evaluated any 2 to 4 weeks until wound healing or different outcomes. Primary outcome was the rate of complete wound healing after 24 weeks of follow-up. The secondary outcomes assessed the healing time, the rate of wound regression, the re-ulceration in the case of complete healing and the safety. Thirty patients were included. The mean age was 67 ± 11 years, 17 (56.7%) were male, all of them were affected by type 2 diabetes with a mean duration of 18 ± 7 years. Twenty patients (66.7%) showed deep ulcers (grade 2 of Texas University Classification); the mean TcPO2 at the inclusion was 42 ± 7 mm Hg. Twenty-two patients (73.3%) healed by Week 24. The mean time of healing was 84 ± 32 days, 2 (6.7%) patients had ulcer relapse after healing, 28 (93.3%) had wound regression >50%, 2 (6.7%) had mild infection, 1 (3.3%) reported major amputation. No serious adverse events related to TLC-NOSF dressing or local reactions were reported. This current study showed the potential benefit of sucrose octasulfate for treating neuro-ischaemic heel DFUs in addition to the standard of care.

TLC-NOSF dressings as a first-line local treatment of chronic wounds: a systematic review of clinical evidence

OBJECTIVE

Several national and international guidelines recommend lipidocolloid technology with a nano-oligosaccharide factor (TLC-NOSF) dressings (UrgoStart dressing range, Laboratoires Urgo, France) for treating patients with chronic wounds. However, these dressings are still often reported as second-line options, potentially leading to loss of opportunity for patients and additional costs for payers. This review aimed to explore the reported wound healing and patient outcomes as well as the related costs when the dressings were used as first-line treatment in patients with different types of chronic wounds.

METHOD

A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, and Google Scholar) were searched up to 1 February 2024, without any language or time period limitations. Studies were eligible if the evaluated dressings had been used as a first-line treatment for chronic wounds, that is, as an integral part of the standard of care (SoC) at the patient's first presentation and/or in recent wounds. The main evaluation criteria included: wound healing rate; time to reach wound closure; change in patients' quality of life (QoL); and associated costs. The quality of evidence of the included studies was appraised using well-recognised risk-of-bias tools suitable for different study designs. A narrative synthesis describes the findings in three sections depending on the type of comparison. This report followed the principles of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 17 studies published between 2017 and 2024 met the eligibility criteria. A comparative analysis between TLC-NOSF dressings and standard dressings, both of which were used as first-line treatment, was reported in nine studies. A comparative analysis between the use of TLC-NOSF dressings as first-line and second-line treatments was reported in eight studies, and five studies reported a systematic use of the TLC-NOSF dressing as first-line treatment without a control group. Overall, the included studies had a relatively low risk of bias for the respective types of evidence. Data of 10,191 patients of both sexes and different age groups with a total of 10,203 wounds (diabetic foot ulcers, leg ulcers, pressure injuries, and other types of chronic wounds) were included in the analysis: 7775 treated with the evaluated dressing and 2428 treated with a comparator dressing. The data suggested that using TLC-NOSF as a first-line treatment for chronic wounds consistently resulted in significantly higher healing rates, shorter healing times, and cost savings compared with standard dressings used under similar conditions. Real-life evidence confirmed the results obtained in clinical trials and economic models, within similar ranges, regardless of the settings involved or of the characteristics of the patients and wounds treated. The wound healing rates ranged around 70-80% by week 20/24 and time-to-heal was reported on average around seven weeks, with slightly longer times reported in wounds with a more severe prognosis. Furthermore, the dressings were shown to improve patient QoL, and were well tolerated and accepted, supporting a wider adoption approach.

CONCLUSION

The results of this review are aligned with the current guidelines recommending the use of TLC-NOSF dressings in the treatment of patients with chronic wounds. They support its wider implementation as a first-line treatment and as an integral part of SoC for these wounds in the daily practice of all centres involved in their management.

Impact of primary dressings on healing of venous leg ulcers: a French cohort study from the healthcare insurance database

OBJECTIVE

Multicomponent bandages (MCBs) are recommended by the French Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé) as first-line treatment for venous leg ulcers (VLUs). A first analysis of the data collected from the French administrative healthcare database (Système National des Données de Santé (SNDS)) on 25,255 patients with a VLU supported superiority of MCBs versus short stretch bandages when considering the healing outcomes and costs associated with closure of these wounds. The aim of this study was to assess how beneficial the primary dressing (technology lipido-colloid nano-oligosaccharide factor (TLC NOSF) or control dressing group (CDG)) could be, when used in combination with MCBs in the treatment of VLUs.

METHOD

Data from the SNDS were collected for patients meeting the following inclusion criteria: treatment for a VLU with MCBs and with the same dressing type (TLC-NOSF or CDG) during the whole treatment period. Healing outcomes were documented on the global cohorts and propensity score-matched cohorts. The mean healthcare cost and the ecological impact were calculated for those patients healed within the study period.

RESULTS

In total, 12,507 patients met the criteria for treatment with both MCBs and TLC-NOSF dressings (n=1134) versus MCBs and CDG (n=11,373); with 1134 and 2268 patients per group following propensity score matching. Healing outcomes were favourable for the TLC-NOSF group in the global cohort and were enhanced in the propensity score-matched cohorts. At every point of the analysis, the adjusted healing rates were significantly higher in the TLC-NOSF group than in the CDG group (p<0.001). In the propensity score-matched cohorts (n=3402), the healing rate at three months was 52% in the TLC-NOSF group versus 37% in the CDG group (p<0.001). The median healing time was 87 days versus 125.5 days in the TLC-NOSF and CDG groups, respectively (p<0.0001). TLC-NOSF dressings significantly reduced the average treatment cost per healed ulcer (€2099) by 23.7% compared with dressings without TLC-NOSF (€2751) (p<0.001), as well as the resources used.

CONCLUSION

This SNDS analysis confirms, in the largest real-life study performed in VLU management, the superiority of the TLC-NOSF dressings versus those not impregnated with the NOSF compound. Better clinical outcomes associated with cost savings and a positive ecological impact support the combination of MCBs and TLC-NOSF dressings and should be considered as an optimal standard of care for the global management of VLUs. These outcomes reinforce the current positions of the international guidelines on the use of NOSF impregnated dressings (UrgoStart range; Laboratoires Urgo, France) in this pathology.

Defining wound bed conformability: a new testing methodology to assess the relative swelling rise of foam dressings

OBJECTIVE

Using a dressing that expands and conforms to the wound bed upon exudate absorption is one of the best ways to promote wound healing. While many products claim wound bed conformability, no externally replicated or verified test methodology had been developed to quantify a wound dressing's ability to conform to the wound bed. The Relative Swelling Rise (RSR) test methodology was developed to measure the relative swelling rise of foam dressings upon fluid absorption, and offers a quantifiable and easily replicated method to measure wound bed conformability.

METHOD

The RSR test method was developed, validated and reliability tested by Coloplast A/S, Denmark. External replication was provided by ALS Odense, Denmark (previously DB Lab). Circular fences provide a fixed diameter to apply and contain the fluid and prevent horizontal spreading in the test set-up. The swelling height is quantified relative to the fence's inner diameter, i.e., the ratio alpha (α), and allows evaluation of a material's ability to conform to the wound bed.

RESULTS

Biatain Silicone foam products (n=3, Coloplast A/S, Denmark) were tested, all afforded an average α-ratio from 0.30 to 0.60. The relative standard deviations were between 1-3%, demonstrating the strength of the test. Robustness of the methodology was demonstrated through the internal validation study, the reliability study, and both an internal and external replication study, as well as a systematic literature review and expert review of the construct, content, criterion and generalisability of the method.

CONCLUSION

Having a validated, effective and easily replicable testing method to quantify wound bed conformability of foam dressings is an important step towards achieving better healing outcomes.