The Effects of Cadexomer Iodine Ointment On the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

The diabetic foot ulcer is a common and devastating complication that occurs to patients with diabetes mellitus. These are associated with increased mortality, illness and reduced quality of life.  Cadexomer iodine ointment is a product where iodine (0.9%) has been physically incoporated in a modified starch matrix (cadexomer).  This dressing aims at absorbing and removing exudate, slough tissue and creating a clean wound bed. This study was intended to investigate the effect of cadexomer iodine ointment on reducing ulcer size, exudate, and discomfort accompanied by exudate or pain that the diabetic foot ulcers produces.

20 patients with diabetic foot ulcers were assessed and monitored in the clinic weekly for 24 weeks. During each visit to patients, the ulcer size was measured with VISITRAK. A 10-cm visual analogue scale was used to estimate the degree of patients' exudate and discomfort.

The sixteen patients’ wound size (80% of 20 patients) was reduced by over 50%.  The six patients’ wound (30% of 20 patients) was healed completely. The degree of exudate and discomfort remarkably decreased (7.7 to 3.0, 7.9 to 3.5). However two patients (10% of 20 patients) complained about the discomfort continuously.

It was found that the Cadexomer Iodine ointment is not only a very easy and convenient dressing method for patients but also the safe and effective treatment in promoting the healing and reducing exudate and discomfort that the diabetic foot ulcers generates.