Local treatment of pressure sores in the elderly: amino acid copolymer membrane versus hydrocolloid dressing.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical effectiveness and wound management properties of a copolymer membrane, Inerpan (Synthélabo), and a hydrocolloid dressing, Comfeel (Coloplast), in the treatment of decubitus ulcers in the elderly.

DESIGN

Open, randomized, multicentric French study, with two parallel groups of patients.

PATIENTS

168 in-patients aged more 65 years (mean age: 82 years) suffering from grade II to grade IV (in the Shea classification) pressure sores. TRIAL PERIOD: Either 8 weeks or until the ulcer healed, whichever occurred first.

MEASUREMENTS

In addition to a complete physical examination, patients were evaluated at baseline for nutritional status and risk factors. The wounds were described, their depth scored, and the areas traced at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8. The number of dressings used was recorded.

RESULTS

Thirty-one Inerpan-treated patients and 23 Comfeel-treated patients achieved healing (P = 0.089), with respective median healing times of 32 and 38 days. Healing times were compared using survival curves (in the whole population) adjusted for ulcer depth effect and showed a significant difference in favor of Inerpan (P = 0.044 and 0.014). Progress of healing (percentage of ulcer healed) was calculated in the two groups. Clinically assessed the treatment performance scored at the completion of the study showed better results with Inerpan (P < 0.05). Both groups were similar in terms of granulation/exudation scores, surrounding skin, and ease of care.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that Inerpan is easy to use, safeguards the healing process, and is of particular value in the management of pressure sores.