The use of biatain Ag in hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

PLoS One. 2013 Jul 2;8(7):e67083. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067083. Print 2013.

Abstract

Background: Venous leg ulcers are common, troublesome, and their failure to heal is often related to a heavy bio-burden. Ionized silver has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The ulcer healing properties of the silver releasing foam dressing Biatain Ag has been examined in 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Aim: To evaluate ulcer healing through a meta-analytic approach after treatment with either Biatain Ag or a non-active dressing.

Patients and methods: 685 subjects with pure or mixed hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers were included in the meta-analysis.

Results: Biatain Ag showed a significant treatment effect (p<0.0001), responder rate (p<0.001), and healing rate (p = 0.002).

Conclusion: The meta-analysis of the 4 RCTs provided statistical significant evidence to support the use of Biatain Ag dressing in treatment of hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / pharmacology*
  • Bandages
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyurethanes / chemistry
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Silver Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Varicose Ulcer / drug therapy*
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Polyurethanes
  • Silver Compounds
  • polyurethane foam

Grants and funding

Coloplast A/S funded the study and provided full access to individual data sets. BPJ, employed by Coloplast A/S, participated as a author in the preparation of the manuscript. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis and decision to publish.