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Cronic Non-healing wounds
In the United States, chronic wounds affect around 6.5 million patients. It is claimed that an excess of US$25 billion is spent annually on treatment of chronic wounds and the burden is growing rapidly due to increasing health care costs, an aging population and a sharp rise in the incidence of diabetes and obesity worldwide. The annual wound care products market is projected to reach $15.3 billion by 2010. Chronic wounds are rarely seen in individuals who are otherwise healthy. In fact, chronic wound patients frequently suffer from "highly branded" diseases such as diabetes and obesity. This seems to have overshadowed the significance of wounds per se as a major health problem.
The immense economic and social impact of wounds in our society calls for allocation of a higher level of
attention and resources to understand biological mechanisms underlying cutaneous wound complications.
Investment in the detailed scrutiny of wounds presented clinically as well as in pre-clinical models seems
prudent.
Infection and Biofilms
An important factor in the failure of a sore to heal is the presence of multiple species of bacteria, living cooperatively in highly organized biofilms. The biofilm protects the bacteria from antibiotic therapy and the patient's immune response. Among others, cutaneous wounds lend themselves to infection by methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Wounds cannot begin to heal if infection is present. It is therefore necessary to first clear the infection,
which in chronic infections are typically biofilms. The elimination of infections, with and without biofilms, is
complicated by diabetes, which tends to lower circulation and therefore the ability for antibiotics to reach
the infection. Further, antibiotics are ineffective when applied topically. The combination of biofilms and
poor circulation tend to make these types of infections highly resistant to antibiotics.
Pressure Ulcers
According to the National Pressure Advisory Panel, a pressure ulcer is localized injury to the skin and/or
underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with
shear and/or friction. Vulnerable patients include the elderly, stroke victims, patients with diabetes,
dementia, those in wheelchairs, bedridden or suffering from impaired mobility or sensation. Pressure
ulcers can be a major source of infection and lead to complications such as septicaemia, osteomyelitis and,
even death.
Diabetic Foot
Ulcers and other foot complications are responsible for 20% of the nearly 3 million hospitalizations every
year related to diabetes. Many of these patients eventually must undergo lower extremity amputations as
a result of infection brought on by untreated foot ulcers.
Venous Ulcers
Venous ulcers account for 70%-90% of ulcers found on the lower leg. Up to one-third of treated patients
experience four or more episodes of recurrence.
Acute Wounds
Acute wound care is indicated in all patients with surgical and traumatic wounds, abrasions, or superficial
burns. Every time an incision is made a wound is created. Wound infections are the most expensive
complications following surgery and still after many years are a major source of bacteria that drive the
nosocomial infection rates in hospitals.
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