theragauze™ alone and regranex®gel 0.01% plus theragauze™ in the treatment of wagner stage i diabetic foot ulcers

Conditions: Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Summary: patients will be randomized to receive theragauze alone or with regranex to treat diabetic foot ulcer condition. the purpose of the study is provide the sponsor with pilot information regarding the ability of theragauze to promote wound healing on its own and to examine synergy with regranex in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

this study will evaluate the use of theragauzet (soluble systems, llc) wound dressing, a polymer hydrogel chemically impregnated into a rayon/polyester formed fabric, forming a pliable, conforming solid matrix. theragauze is fda class i exempt (regulation #21cfr, product code 5878.4022). it is hypothesized that this material will be useful for the treatment of full-thickness diabetic ulcers. it is further hypothesized that this material will enhance the action of regranex (becaplermin) gel by providing an optimal environment for this growth factor to function. this study will observe patient outcomes following diabetic foot ulcer treatment with theragauze and with or without the use of regranex.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: patients * who are 18 years old or older; * who are diagnosed as having insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (5.5% \<hgba1c\<12%); * who have foot ulcers extending through the epidermis and dermis but not with exposed tendon or bone; * who have a diagnosis of chronic diabetic ulcer; * who have a viable wound bed with granulation tissue as determined by bleeding following debridement; * who have an ulcer size which is at least 1 cm2 and no greater then 16cm2; * who have signed an informed consent form. * who have a wound that has been present for at least 4 weeks at the time of screening. exclusion criteria: patients * having ulcers less than 1cm2 or greater than 16cm2 in size; * having severe arterial disease (ankle brachial index (abi) less than 0.65); * having history of radiation therapy to the ulcer site; * who use corticosteroids \>10mg prednisone daily * who use any immune suppressive, or severely immunocompromised patients; * who have an ulcer that was of a non-diabetic pathophysiology; * having vasculitis, severe rheumatoid arthritis, or other collagen vascular disease; * having malnutrition (defined by albumin \<2.5 g/dl); * having a known allergy or hypersensitivity to the components of either theragauze or regranex; * having erythema or purulence associated with a severe infection of the wound site; * having signs and symptoms of cellulitis, osteomyelitis, necrotic or avascular ulcer beds; * undergoing hemodialysis; * having uncontrolled diabetes (defined as hgb a1c\>12%) * having deficient blood supply to ulcers (defined as capillary fill time \>3 seconds at tips of toes) * having charcot's neuroarthropathy as determined by clinical and/or radiographic examination; * having sickle cell disease; * having exposed bone, tendon, or fascia; * who are currently enrolled in a clinical evaluation of another investigational device or drug, or have received and investigational treatment for diabetic foot ulcers in the last 30 days; * unable to comply with the procedures described in the protocol.

Keywords: diabetes foot extremity ulcer wound gauze