Study Reveals ‘Invisible Wounds’ in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Rethinking Wound Closure Criteria
A recent study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Diabetic Foot Consortium, led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, has uncovered that diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) appearing healed may still possess compromised skin barriers, making them prone to reopening. Published in Diabetes Care, the study suggests that the current FDA definition of wound closure may not adequately reflect true healing. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Key Highlights:
- Functional vs. Visual Healing: The study found that wounds meeting the FDA’s closure criteria—complete skin coverage without discharge for two weeks—might still have defective barrier functions, leading to potential re-injury. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) as an Indicator: Researchers utilized a handheld device to measure TEWL, discovering that higher TEWL readings in closed wounds correlated with a greater likelihood of ulcer recurrence. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- Study Findings: Among 368 participants with recently healed DFUs, 22% experienced wound reopening within 16 weeks. Wounds with TEWL values exceeding 30 were approximately 2.7 times more likely to reopen compared to those with lower readings. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
These findings highlight the importance of assessing not just the visual appearance of wound closure but also the functional integrity of the skin barrier. Incorporating TEWL measurements into standard wound assessment protocols could enhance the prediction of wound recurrence and inform more effective treatment strategies. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}:contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
Read the full article on the Medical Xpress website.
Keywords:
diabetic foot ulcers,
wound closure,
TEWL,
Chandan Sen,
Gayle Gordillo,
Sashwati Roy