Wu L, Norman G, Dumville JC, O’Meara S, Bell-Syer SEM. Dressings for treating foot ulcers in people with diabetes: an overview of systematic reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD010471. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010471.pub2.
Here is what the plain language summary states:
‘This overview drew together and summarised evidence from 13 systematic reviews that contained 17 relevant randomised controlled trials (the best type of study for this type of question) published up to 2013. Collectively, these trials compared 10 different types of wound dressings against each other, making a total of 37 separate comparisons. The different ways in which dressing types were compared made it difficult to combine and analyse the results. Only four of the comparisons informed by direct data found evidence of a difference in ulcer healing between dressings, but these results were classed as low quality evidence.
There was no clear evidence that any of the ‘advanced’ wound dressings types were any better than basic wound contact dressings for healing foot ulcers. The overview findings were restricted by the small amount of information available (a limited number of trials involving small numbers of participants).
Until there is a clear answer about which type of dressing performs best for healing foot ulcers in people with diabetes, other factors, such as clinical management of the wound, cost, and patient preference and comfort, should influence the choice of dressing.’
Best wishes, Holly Millward
Communications and Engagement Officer Cochrane UK
E holly.millward@cochrane.nhs.uk<mailto:holly.millward@cochrane.nhs.uk> T +44(0) 1865 516 300 S holly.millward2 T @MillwardHolly Cochrane UK, Summertown Pavilion, 18-24 Middle Way, Oxford, OX2 7LG UK
AfroPHC 