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This study aimed to systematically delineate the clinical characteristics and identify the key risk factors associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in burn patients, thereby informing targeted preventive measures and therapeutic strategies. This retrospective study included 270 burn patients with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections at a Chinese centre (2019–2022), comprising 127 MRSA and 143 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) cases. Clinical data were analysed to assess infection profiles, resistance patterns and MRSA risk factors. Amongst the infections, 68.1% (184/270) were caused by multi-drug resistant S. aureus, specifically 47.0% (127/270) by MRSA and 21.1% (57/270) by MSSA. The predominant resistance pattern (penicillin, oxacillin, gentamicin, clindamycin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, tetracycline) accounted for 23.9% (44/184) of multidrug-resistant cases. The overall MRSA detection rate was 47.0% (127/270). Univariate analysis identified multiple factors significantly associated with MRSA infection (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified the use of ≥ 3 types of antibiotics as an independent risk factor for MRSA infection in burn wounds. The detection rate of multi-drug resistant S. aureus (including MRSA) infections in burn wounds is relatively high. A number of variables are the influencing factors for MRSA infections. Medical personnel should adopt infection control measures to block the transmission of multi-drug resistant bacteria (including MRSA).
Compression therapy is the evidence-based treatment for healing venous leg ulcers. However, it is not routinely applied in many UK hospitals. This paper explores hospital staff's' perspectives of venous leg ulcer care provision where compression therapy is not routinely applied. A semi-structured interview study was conducted with 11 participants, drawn from a larger study, who confirmed that their respective hospitals did not apply compression therapy to inpatients with venous leg ulcers. The interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings indicate that venous leg ulcer care in hospitals was de-prioritised, which, along with structural and organisational constraints, affected clinicians' engagement and focus on it in their hospitals. This de-prioritisation also led to a lack of formal leg ulcer training in hospitals. However, some clinicians showed remarkable empathy for patients derived from their clinical professionalism and deep understanding of their suffering. To help hospital clinicians and senior managers prioritise venous leg ulcer care, it is crucial to first understand their clinical practise priorities. Secondly, understanding how some hospitals implement compression therapy could be beneficial for those where it is not routine practise. Further research should focus on better understanding clinicians and senior managers' clinical priorities and the structural and organisational constraints in real-world settings, ideally in hospitals where compression therapy is a routine practise. Most importantly, the study highlighted key questions for hospital leaders and policymakers: consider fostering the established clinicians' empathy before it is too late.
To evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary offloading versus standard care on one-year diabetic foot ulcer recurrence, amputation, mortality, and functional recovery. In this prospective cohort study, 232 patients with healed diabetic foot ulcers were stratified into a control group (76 patients) or an intervention group (156 patients) receiving offloading modalities ranging from felt padding to custom-made therapeutic footwear. Assignment was based on shared decision-making considering biomechanical needs and economic feasibility. Primary outcomes included recurrence, amputation, and mortality. Secondary outcomes assessed quality of life, working ability, and ankle function. The intervention group demonstrated significantly lower recurrence (10.9% vs. 25.0%; p = 0.007) and mortality (3.2% vs. 14.5%; p = 0.004). Multivariable analysis identified offloading as independently protective against recurrence (odds ratio 0.35) and mortality (odds ratio 0.24). Amputation rates did not differ significantly after adjustment. Functionally, the intervention group achieved superior recovery in quality of life, working ability, and ankle scores (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated that customized therapeutic footwear yielded the lowest complication rates and highest patient satisfaction. Multidisciplinary offloading significantly reduces recurrence and mortality while restoring physical function. Although financial barriers influence device selection, customized therapeutic footwear offers the optimal balance of biomechanical protection and functional outcomes.
The study aimed to develop a computational fluid dynamics-based mobile wound irrigation education program and explore changes in irrigation pressure control, wound irrigation-related knowledge and performance confidence in syringe-based wound irrigation. This study used a single-group pre–post design. A computational fluid dynamics-based mobile wound irrigation program was developed following the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation model. The program enabled learners to manipulate irrigation variables and visualize pressure distribution in real time. Thirty-four participants were recruited. Irrigation pressure was measured using a load cell-based device, and knowledge and performance confidence were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Data were analysed using paired t-tests and content analysis. The mean irrigation pressure increased significantly, although the post-intervention mean remained below the recommended pressure range and the proportion of participants achieving the recommended range rose from 0% to 44%. Knowledge and performance confidence also improved significantly. Qualitative findings indicated enhanced understanding of performance standards, improved technical awareness and reduced uncertainty during skill execution. Participation in the computational fluid dynamics-based mobile education program was associated with improvements in irrigation pressure control, related knowledge and performance confidence in syringe-based wound irrigation. These findings should be interpreted as preliminary because of the single-group pre–post design. Numerical visualization and real-time feedback may be useful educational strategies for facilitating the transition from experience-based skill performance to data-driven practice.
Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), Republic of Korea: KCT0011256.
Crohn's disease (CD) is primarily characterised by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation; however, its systemic nature frequently leads to musculoskeletal complications. Among these, clinically significant foot pathologies can impair mobility and negatively impact patients' overall quality of life. Despite their relevance, the specific influence of podiatric manifestations on health-related quality of life in individuals with CD remains insufficiently explored, underscoring a critical gap in current disease management. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which foot-related health issues affect the quality of life in people living with CD compared with a healthy population. This multicenter observational case–control study was conducted across five provinces in southern Spain—Málaga, Granada, Jaén, Sevilla, and Cádiz—between January 2024 and February 2025. The study included 110 participants, evenly divided between individuals diagnosed with CD (n = 55) and healthy controls (n = 55), matched for age, sex, and body mass index. All participants completed the validated Spanish version of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (SFHSQ), which assesses four foot-specific domains and four general health domains. Due to the non-normal distribution of the data, non-parametric statistical methods were applied, with the Mann–Whitney U test used to evaluate differences between groups. Participants with CD exhibited significantly lower scores across all domains of the SFHSQ, with the exception of the Footwear domain, which showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.406). Compared with healthy controls, individuals in the CD group reported greater impairments in foot pain, foot function, general foot health, and in broader health-related domains including general health, physical activity, and social capacity (p < 0.01 for all). CD significantly compromises foot-related QoL. These results highlight the need to include podiatric evaluations as part of comprehensive, multidisciplinary care approaches aimed at enhancing mobility, functional capacity, and general well-being in affected individuals.
Scalp follicular unit (FU) transplantation is a highly effective yet underutilised minimally invasive technique for promoting healing in chronic and recalcitrant cutaneous wounds. In this case series, five patients with long-standing nonhealing leg ulcers of mixed etiologies were treated exclusively with single FU grafts harvested from the scalp with a 0.9–1-mm punch. Complete re-epithelialization occurred in three cases by 6, 3 and 1 month, respectively, while the remaining two cases showed marked partial improvement at 6 months, with reduction in ulcer area and pain. Overall, all five patients experienced a favourable clinical outcome. Case reports suggest that the transplantation of a minimum of 4 FU grafts/cm2 is required to promote effective wound closure, with higher graft densities being associated with faster healing. However, the optimal graft density and placement, whether uniform distribution or targeting the wound edge to exploit an ‘edge effect’, require further investigation. Considered alongside prior reports, these results suggest that 1-mm single-FU grafting achieves wound healing comparable to, and often faster than, 2–3-mm punch grafts. Additionally, the technique is less invasive and causes less bleeding, overall supporting wider use as an adjunct in multidisciplinary wound care.
Level of Evidence: IV
Accurate chronic wound classification is essential for appropriate management, yet diagnostic variability persists in routine practice. Transparent, rule-based decision-support tools may improve standardisation but require validation against expert judgement under clearly defined conditions. To evaluate inter-expert agreement, agreement between a rule-based algorithm and an expert-consensus reference standard, diagnostic accuracy as a complementary measure, exploratory comparison with a non-expert nurse, and expert agreement with algorithm-generated therapeutic recommendations. Thirty anonymised standardised clinical cases were classified by the algorithm and one non-expert nurse. Thirty wound-care experts, including 26 nurses, three physicians, and one researcher, were organised into six independent panels of five and classified case subsets, yielding 150 ratings. A consensus reference diagnosis was defined a priori as agreement by at least 3/5 experts. The primary outcome was algorithm–consensus agreement using Cohen's κ. Expert reliability was assessed using Krippendorff's α and Fleiss' κ. Recommendation agreement was dichotomised and analysed exploratorily. Expert agreement was low to moderate (Krippendorff's α = 0.26–0.60), highest for pressure ulcers/injuries and venous leg ulcers, and lowest for mixed or unknown leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. Consensus was reached in 29 of 30 cases. The algorithm achieved 86.2% accuracy (25/29) and substantial agreement (κ = 0.70, 95% CI 0.46–0.94). Nurse accuracy was 72.4% (21/29, p = 0.219). Experts endorsed 85.2% of therapeutic recommendations. The algorithm showed promising agreement under controlled conditions, supporting further prospective validation in larger, balanced real-world datasets.
Diabetes mellitus is a global burden that affects wound healing at nearly every stage, transforming what should be a coordinated and self-limited repair process into a chronic, non-healing state. In diabetic patients, sustained hyperglycemia drives persistent inflammation, impaired angiogenesis, fibroblast dysfunction and extracellular matrix instability, resulting in refractory ulcers and often causing severe complications such as infection, hospitalisation, amputation and premature death. This review integrates mechanistic insights with dermatological advancements providing a comprehensive picture of diabetic wound pathophysiology and emerging therapeutic approaches. The normal sequence of wound healing is outlined and contrasted with the cellular and molecular derailments seen in diabetes, with a focus on macrophage polarisation, neutrophil dysfunction, mast cell and dendritic cell dysregulation, impaired regulatory T cell function, pericyte loss, disrupted neuroimmunomodulation, oxidative stress and defective tissue remodelling. Current and novel interventions including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, advanced dressings, biologic grafts, phototherapy, as well as regenerative strategies involving stem cells, nanomaterials and exosome-based treatments are critically examined for their clinical utility, limitations and translational promise. No single modality fully addresses the multifactorial nature of diabetic wounds, but multimodal, mechanism-driven strategies hold potential to synergistically restore tissue repair. Bridging basic science with innovative dermatological interventions remains essential to reduce the global burden of diabetic wounds and improving quality of life for diabetics.
Globally, a lower-extremity amputation occurs every 20 s as a complication of a diabetic foot ulcer, underscoring the urgent need for effective preventive strategies. Previous studies have shown that temperature-based foot monitoring can reduce both the incidence and severity of diabetic foot ulcers. However, real-world adherence data for remote temperature monitoring remain limited, particularly in diverse or resource-constrained communities. We conducted a pilot implementation study of 20 adults with diabetes and a history of diabetic foot ulcers to assess adherence to a remote foot temperature monitoring mat within the context of receiving podiatric care. Participants are instructed to stand on the mat for 20 s daily, and data are transmitted wirelessly for remote monitoring. Adherence was defined as use of the mat at least four times a week. Participants demonstrated high adherence to the foot monitoring mat, averaging 6 scans per week, with sustained adherence over the 6-month study period. These findings suggest that high-risk patients with diabetes can reliably engage with the foot temperature monitoring technology, supporting its potential as a management tool to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of diabetic foot ulcer-related complications in high-risk, resource constrained patient populations.
Diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) contributes significantly to diabetes-related morbidity and amputation. In Barbados, where amputation rates are among the highest globally, the influence of socioeconomic factors on ulceration outcomes remains underexplored. Educational attainment, a social determinant of health, may influence health behaviours, engagement with healthcare services, and ultimately clinical outcomes. This study examines whether educational attainment is associated with diabetic foot ulcer severity, as measured by the SINBAD scoring system, and six-week healing outcomes among inpatients with DFU. A prospective observational study was conducted over 6 months at Barbados' sole public hospital. A total of 176 participants admitted with a diagnosis of DFU were recruited. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, and ulcer characteristics were collected, and SINBAD scores were determined. Random forest modelling was employed to evaluate predictors of complete healing at 6 weeks and to assess ulcer severity stratified by educational attainment. Of the cohort, 17.5% reported primary education as their highest attainment level, compared with 2.9% of the general adult population. The mean SINBAD score was 2.45 among those with primary education and 2.51 among those with secondary education (p > 0.05). No statistically significant association was found between educational attainment and healing outcomes at 6 weeks. Educational attainment in this inpatient DFU cohort was lower than that of the general Barbadian population; however, it was not significantly associated with ulcer severity or six-week healing outcomes. In a universal healthcare setting, equitable access to care may attenuate the effect of educational attainment on clinical outcomes. These null findings highlight the need for future adequately powered studies incorporating health literacy assessment and key clinical confounders. Nonetheless, the observed disparity in educational attainment among DFU inpatients suggests that foot health education initiatives should be designed to be accessible to individuals across all educational levels.
To investigate whether micronized acellular dermal matrix (mADM) can be used to treat diabetes-related and traumatic foot wounds with bone defects after bone or joint resection. We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients who underwent bone or joint resection, followed by mADM-assisted reconstruction of diabetes-related or traumatic foot wounds between 2021 and 2024. mADM was applied using sheet-type, paste-type or combined formulations in one- or multi-stage procedures. Wound healing, contour preservation and radiological alignment were assessed. Among the 52 patients (43 with diabetes and 9 with trauma), complete epithelialization was achieved in 48 (mean follow-up: 14.8 months; mean time to wound closure: 5.6 weeks). Four cases showed recurrence or delayed healing and five developed mild early local infection; all were controlled with additional wound care or antibiotics, with no progressive osteomyelitis or graft loss. In 40 radiologically evaluable cases, the toe length and alignment were generally preserved (mean toe length ratio: 91.6% and no angular deformity > 10°). mADM-assisted reconstruction may be useful for treating diabetes-related and traumatic foot wounds with bone defects after bone or joint resection. Its role appears to lie in dead-space management, contour preservation and durable wound coverage, rather than bone replacement.
Early detection of sacral pressure injuries (PIs) in immobilised polytrauma patients remains challenging. This study evaluated ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) ultrasound combining structural and haemodynamic parameters for early PI diagnosis. In a prospective cohort of 73 polytrauma patients (Injury Severity Score 16–25), daily sacrococcygeal assessments were performed over 15 days using UHF ultrasound (Mindray Resona 11; L20-5 s probe). Parameters included 2D morphology, perfusion (colour power angiography [CPA]), flow metrics (peak systolic velocity [PSV]), Braden Scale and inflammatory markers. PI incidence was 27.4% (n = 20; all stage I/II). Haemodynamic markers outperformed 2D ultrasound: CPA grade ≥ 1 (AUC = 0.858, 80.0% sensitivity) and PSV > 5.55 cm/s (AUC = 0.841, 95.0% sensitivity). Combined CPA + PSV achieved superior accuracy (AUC = 0.922). Systemic inflammation showed no intergroup differences. UHF ultrasound detects early PIs by capturing ischaemia-reperfusion changes. The CPA + PSV protocol provides nurses with a rapid (< 5 min), sensitive bedside tool to guide proactive interventions.
This study aimed to explore how persons living with a hard-to-heal wound and their family members experience care. The inclusion criteria for patients were wounds that had persisted for more than 6 weeks or hard-to-heal wounds that had recently healed. The study included 16 participants (13 patients and 3 family members) from primary healthcare services in Örebro County, Sweden. The interview data were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. One overarching theme was generated: Navigating an uncertain path towards healing, along with three subthemes: (1) Striving to be an active agent, (2) Being part of collaboration efforts and (3) Being a bystander in the search for the right treatment. Together, these themes illustrate how patients and family members engaged in an uncertain care process as they sought to understand the condition and manage care in everyday life. These everyday efforts reflected forms of invisible agency, as participants did not always recognise them as meaningful contributions to wound care. The findings highlight the importance of person-centred approaches that recognise and value patients' and family members' everyday contributions to wound care and support self-management through partnerships among patients, family members and HCPs.
Chronic diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers remain difficult to treat due to delayed healing and high complication rates. Biologic skin allografts derived from living or amniotic tissue provide extracellular matrix components, cytokines, growth factors and viable cells that facilitate tissue repair. This investigation systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials comparing Apligraf, Theraskin, Amnioband, Amnioexcel, EpiCord and Epifix for chronic lower extremity wounds. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases. Primary outcomes included complete wound closure at 12 weeks, time to healing and percent area reduction. Secondary outcomes included infection, amputation and recurrence rates. Nineteen trials with a total of 1303 participants met inclusion criteria. Analysis demonstrated statistical significance in 12-week wound closure (p = 0.0394), with Theraskin achieving the highest mean closure (84.7%) and Amnioexcel the lowest (37.5%). Epifix and Amnioband showed faster healing trends and greater closure advantages compared with standard care. Reported complications were uncommon and inconsistently defined. While no single graft demonstrated statistically superior outcomes, descriptive trends suggest Theraskin, Epifix and Amnioband may offer greater clinical benefit. These findings provide comparative insight to guide clinical selection of skin substitutes and highlight the need for large-scale head-to-head trials to establish relative efficacy.
Post-burn itching is an important symptom that negatively affects patients during both the treatment and rehabilitation processes. Understanding patients' lived experiences regarding post-burn itching is essential to improving patient care. This qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological approach. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were held with 10 patients who experienced itching after burn injuries. Data collection occurred between January and May 2024. Thematic analysis was employed to evaluate the data. Analysis of the data revealed four main themes and 13 sub-themes. The main themes identified were: (1) the psychological burden of itching, (2) the bodily experience of itching, (3) difficulties in daily life, and (4) coping strategies. The study findings provide detailed insights into the experiences of patients suffering from post-burn itching. These results enhance current knowledge in this area and may inform the development of holistic, patient-centred, and community-based care strategies tailored to patient needs.
Chronic diabetic wounds persist because of impaired angiogenesis, dysregulated transforming growth factor beta activity and delayed matrix remodelling. Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma therapy represents a potential non-pharmacologic approach to overcome these barriers. This study compared reactive nitrogen–dominant and reactive oxygen–dominant plasma exposures under identical apparatus conditions in a diabetic wound model. A universal plasma jet operated with nitrogen or argon gas was applied to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Wound area reduction and time to 90% closure were quantified. Histological evaluation assessed re-epithelialisation and collagen deposition and immunohistochemistry measured angiogenesis using cluster of differentiation 31 staining and transforming growth factor beta expression. Nitrogen plasma treatment demonstrated sustained improvement in wound reduction relative to diabetic controls and reached 90% closure on day 19, whereas argon plasma reached this threshold on day 24 and diabetic controls exceeded 30 days. Nitrogen plasma was also associated with an earlier, self-limited angiogenic response characterised by an early cluster of differentiation 31 peak on day 6, together with patterns consistent with enhanced collagen maturation and earlier normalisation of transforming growth factor beta expression. Overall, these findings suggest mechanistic differences between reactive nitrogen–dominant and reactive oxygen–dominant plasma exposures in regulating angiogenesis and matrix remodelling during diabetic wound repair. These results indicate that plasma gas chemistry may influence wound-healing trajectories, supporting the potential of plasma therapy as a translational adjunct approach for difficult-to-heal wounds.
The aim was to validate the Spanish/Spain version of the Wound-QoL-14. Clinical data were prospectively collected from participants who completed the questionnaire at baseline and at a follow-up visit. COSMIN guidelines were followed to evaluate feasibility, reliability, construct validity and responsiveness. Overall, 323 participants (71.1 ± 14.6 years; 52% males) were included. Feasibility was excellent (missing items: 0.95%). Reliability was good (very good internal consistency [McDonald's omega: 0.934] and test–retest reliability [concordance correlation coefficient: 0.915; 95% CI: 0.837–0.956. Standard error of measurement: 0.141]). Regarding construct validity, the survey showed good structural validity since the three factors extracted after the exploratory factor analysis were confirmed (Comparative fit index: 0.942. Tucker–Lewis index: 0.927. Standardized root mean square residual: 0.042. Root mean square error of approximation: 0.089; 90% CI: 0.077–0.102) and good known-groups and convergent validities (4/4 and 7/9 predefined hypotheses supported, respectively). Criterium validity was excellent (Spearman's rho with Wound-QoL-17 global score: 0.934). Finally, the instrument was suitable to detect improvement (Floor effect: 0.3%. Ceiling effect: 1.5%. Area under the receiving operator characteristic curve: 0.795; 95% CI: 0.732–0.858; p < 0.001. Standardized effect size: 0.928. Standardized response mean: 0.852). The Spanish/Spain version of the Wound-QoL-14 is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the health-related quality of life in Spanish patients with chronic wounds.
The wound-scratch assay is a widely used in vitro model for studying collective cell migration, a fundamental process contributing to wound closure and re-epithelialisation. Owing to its simplicity, low cost, and adaptability, it has become a foundational tool for early-stage wound-healing research and therapeutic screening. The assay involves generating a defined gap in a confluent cell monolayer and monitoring gap closure over time as a surrogate readout of repair. This narrative review examined 199 published studies, identifying 73 relevant to wound healing. A technical hierarchy of wound creation methods was identified across three main categories: mechanical approaches (e.g., pipette tips and cell scrapers), accessible but prone to operator-dependent variability; semi-automated systems (e.g., inserts and wound maker devices), which improve reproducibility; and fully-automated robotic platforms offering high precision and high-throughput capability. While these advances enhance technical consistency, they do not overcome the assay's fundamental biological constraints. Importantly, gap closure in the wound-scratch assay primarily reflects planar collective cell migration and does not recapitulate the integrated inflammatory, vascular, metabolic, and extracellular matrix-dependent processes that govern wound repair in vivo. Consequently, bioactive compounds acting through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, or matrix-modulating pathways may have their therapeutic potential underestimated or misclassified when assessed using migration-only readouts. Preliminary in-house (unpublished) data are presented to illustrate this limitation, demonstrating modest migration effects for compounds with established wound-healing activity in vivo. Despite these limitations, the wound-scratch assay remains a valuable first-line, hypothesis-generating tool when interpreted appropriately, with future utility dependent on integration with adapted models and complementary assays for translation.
Beta Glucans (β-glucans) are naturally occurring polysaccharides that have positive effects on healing in acute and chronic wounds. This study aimed to identify how β-glucans modulate macrophage polarisation and inflammation to aid the healing response. Flow cytometry was used to assess the effect of β-glucan on human monocytes during differentiation into M0, M1 and M2 macrophages. Subsequently, a murine full-thickness excisional wound healing model was conducted where wounds were treated with either β-glucan hydrogel or vehicle, at the time of wounding. The wounds were analysed to determine the rate of wound closure, the effect on inflammation, and matrix deposition. β-glucan promoted differentiation of monocytes to M0 macrophages but inhibited differentiation of M0 macrophages to pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages with no effect on M2 macrophage formation. In vivo, treatment of excisional wounds with β-glucan hydrogel accelerated healing with an earlier, more resolved inflammatory phase containing greater numbers of M2 macrophages and fewer neutrophils within the wound. No statistically significant effect on matrix deposition was observed. β-glucans modulate macrophage differentiation and accelerate healing in excisional wounds with no adverse effect on matrix formation. β-glucans are a potential therapeutic approach for treatment of hard-to-heal wounds in humans.
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