Foot Ulcer
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Studies from University of Bari provide new data on diabetes
2009 JUL 27 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to recent research published in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, "Diabetes is becoming one of the most common chronic diseases, and ulcers are its most serious complication. Beginning with neuropathy, the subsequent foot wounds frequently lead to lower extremity amputation, even in the absence of critical limb ischemia." "In recent years, some researchers have studied external shock wave therapy (ESWT) as a new approach to soft tissue wound healing. The rationale of this study was to evaluate if ESWT is effective in the management of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers. We designed a randomized, prospective, controlled study in which we recruited 30 patients affected by neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers and then divided them into two groups based on different management strategies. One group was treated with standard care and shock wave therapy. The other group was treated with only standard care. The healing of the ulcers was evaluated over 20 weeks by the rate of re-epithelization. After 20 weeks of treatment, 53.33% of the ESWT-treated patients had complete wound closure compared with 33.33% of the control patients, and the healing times were 60.8 and 82.2 days, respectively (p < 0.001). Significant differences in the index of the re-epithelization were observed between the two groups, with values of 2.97 mm(2)/die in the ESWT-group and 1.30 mm(2)/die in the control group (p < 0.001)," wrote B. Moretti and colleagues, University of Bari. The researchers concluded: "Therefore, ESWT may be a useful adjunct in the management of diabetic foot ulceration." Moretti and colleagues published their study in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (The management of neuropathic ulcers of the foot in diabetes by shock wave therapy. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2009;10():54). For additional information, contact A. Notarnicola, University of Bari, General Hospital, Faculty Med & Surgery, Dept. of Clinic Methodol & Surgery Technical, Orthopedics Sect, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, I-70124 Bari, Italy. The publisher's contact information for the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders is: Biomedical Central Ltd., Current Science Group, Middlesex House, 34-42 Cleveland St., London W1T 4LB, England. Keywords: Italy, Bari, Chronic Disease, Chronic Diseases, Clinical Trial Research, Diabetes, Diabetic Foot, Endocrinology, Foot Ulcer, Ischemia, Neuropathy, Therapy, Treatment, University of Bari. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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