A Simple Mathematical Model for Wound Closure Evaluation

J Am Coll Clin Wound Spec. 2016 Jul 29;7(1-3):40-49. doi: 10.1016/j.jccw.2016.07.002. eCollection 2015 Dec.

Abstract

The incidence of ulcers associated to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases every year. We introduce and explore a new mathematical algorithm to evaluate wound-healing in foot ulcers associated to T2DM. Fifteen patients (nine women and six men), mean age of 70 ± 16 years were included. The evolution of their wounds followed-up for a period of 18-45 days. According to the Wagner grading system the ulcers were grade I (5 patients), grade II (9 patients), and grade III (1 patient). Clinically, the type of the ulcers was neuroischemic (12 patients) and neuropathic (3 patients). A new parameter is introduced, the "continuous linear healing rate" Dc that was more accurate with higher values and requires less quantifications than usual formulas to make a wound-healing projection.

Keywords: Diabetic foot; Foot ulcers; Mathematical model; Wounds.