International wound journal
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Comparative Study
Insensate foot of diabetic foot ulcer can have underlying silent neuropathic pain.
Subjects with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) are believed to be less likely to complain of symptoms of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN). When we assessed this using Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs questionnaire (s-LANSS) we found that out of total 44 subjects with DFU, 19 (43·2%) had possible neuropathic discomfort. s-LANSS score was significantly higher in DFU group (8·1 ± 7·7 versus 4·7 ± 4·6; P = 0·04). ⋯ This study suggests that subjects with DFU may suffer from PDPN, but do not perceive it. Further studies are needed to assess if treatment of PDPN in these subjects is beneficial.
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Comparative Study
Anti-biofilm efficacy of a lactoferrin/xylitol wound hydrogel used in combination with silver wound dressings.
With an epidemic increase in obesity combined with an ageing population, chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers and venous leg ulcers are an increasing clinical concern. Recent studies have shown that bacterial biofilms are a major contributor to wound bioburden and interfere with the normal wound healing process; therefore, rational design of wound therapies should include analysis of anti-biofilm characteristics. Studies using the combined treatment of bacterial biofilms with the innate immune molecule lactoferrin and the rare sugar-alcohol xylitol have demonstrated an antimicrobial capacity against a clinical wound isolate. ⋯ Log reductions in biofilm viability are compared with a commercially available wound hydrogel used in combination with the silver-based wound dressings. For both a single species biofilm and a dual species biofilm, the lactoferrin/xylitol hydrogel in combination with the silver wound dressing Acticoat™ had a statistically significant reduction in biofilm viability relative to the commercially available wound hydrogel. This study also demonstrated a statistical interaction between the lactoferrin/xylitol hydrogel and the silver wound dressing.