The findings of a randomized controlled clinical trial revealed that in people with chronic diabetic foot ulcers, adding a unique resorbable bioactive glass microfiber matrix to the standard of care (SOC, collagen alginate dressing) considerably improves wound healing without any adverse events associated with treatment in comparison with SOC alone. Researchers aimed to assess the healing potential of resorbable glass microfiber matrix + SOC vs. SOC for managing diabetic foot ulcers.

This multi-centre, single-blinded study enrolled 40 participants and randomly allocated them to either SOC alone group or  resorbable glass microfiber matrix + SOC group. Both the study groups were given standard diabetic foot care incorporating glucose monitoring, weekly debridements when required and an offloading device. Participants received treatment for a period of twelve weeks. The percentage of full-thickness, non-infected, non-ischaemic wounds healed at twelve weeks was the major outcome ascertained.

The percent area reduction (PAR) and alteration in Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing were the secondary outcomes ascertained. In the intent-to-treat assessment at twelve weeks, a greater percentage of patients in the resorbable glass fibre matrix group + SOC group reported healing of diabetic foot ulcers when compared to SOC group [70% (14/20) vs. 25% (5/20)], as illustrated in Figure 1:

The mean PAR at twelve weeks and the mean alteration in neuropathic score between baseline and up to twelve weeks of therapy were higher in the resorbable glass fibre matrix + SOC group than the SOC group, as shown in Figure 1:

The mean number of resorbable glass fibre matrix applications was found to be 6.0. Thus, a higher percentage of wounds heal after twelve weeks of therapy with the combination of resorbable glass fibre matrix and SOC in people suffering from diabetic foot ulcers.