Clinical efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor on pressure ulcers: case-control pairing study using a new...

Area of Science:

• Wound Healing Research
• Biomedical Engineering
• Dermatology

Background:

• Pressure ulcers represent a significant clinical challenge.
• Standardized assessment tools are crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy.
• Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potential therapeutic agent for wound repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in accelerating pressure ulcer healing.
• To assess the utility of the Pressure Ulcer Healing Process-Ohura (PUHP-Ohura) tool in measuring treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A paired-case study design involving 23 pairs of pressure ulcer patients.
• Standardized treatment conditions, including pressure-relief mattresses and regular postural changes.
• Quantitative assessment of healing using the nine-item Pressure Ulcer Healing Process-Ohura (PUHP-Ohura) score.
• Statistical analysis using the SAS MIXED procedure to compare bFGF treatment with control.

Main Results:

• bFGF treatment demonstrated significantly accelerated healing in six key PUHP-Ohura observation items.
• Observed improvements included reduced exudate volume, decreased ulcer depth, enhanced granulation, and better wound edge and epithelialization.
• The total PUHP-Ohura score was significantly improved in the bFGF group over time.

Conclusions:

• Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) significantly enhances the healing rate of pressure ulcers.
• The Pressure Ulcer Healing Process-Ohura (PUHP-Ohura) wound-assessment tool is a viable method for evaluating the efficacy of drugs for pressure ulcer treatment.