Assessing Treatment Efficiency in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Processing for Retention Versus Lamination: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers are a severe complication in diabetic patients that significantly impact healthcare systems and patient quality of life, often leading to hospitalization and amputation. Traditional Standard of Care (SOC) treatments are inadequate for many patients, necessitating advanced wound care products like human placental membranes. These products are intended as covering for acute and chronic wounds. We conducted a retrospective analysis to compare the effectiveness of two human placental membrane products, retention-processed (RE-AC) and lamination-processed (L-AC) in managing diabetic foot ulcers.Methods: The study collected retrospective observational data from electronic health records of patients treated at three outpatient wound care centers. Patients were categorized into two cohorts based on the treatment received. Key metrics included wound size progression and the number of product applications. The analysis employed Bayesian regression and Hurdle Gamma Analysis of Variance (ANCOVA) models.Results:Even with a higher starting wound area, results indicated that RE-AC achieved a higher expected Percent Area Reduction (xPAR) compared to L-AC at 12 weeks. Although L-AC was slightly more effective in complete wound closure, RE-AC required 27% fewer applications and 14% fewer treatment days, suggesting greater efficiency in general wound closure.Discussion: RE-AC, as a wound covering, offers overall better treatment efficiency, especially in reducing the frequency of applications. This efficiency can lead to improved patient comfort, reduced treatment costs, and optimized resource utilization in healthcare settings.References: