Is a more comfortable cast available for diabetic foot wounds? A follow-up cohort study

ISRCTN ISRCTN16824836
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16824836
Secondary identifying numbers M19.230293, NTR6142
Submission date
05/12/2021
Registration date
08/12/2021
Last edited
12/08/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is often cured and prevented by a cast with off-loading (minimizing or removing weight placed on the foot to help prevent and heal ulcers).
Unfortunately, a cast is a nuisance for a patient, because of its irremovable properties. Because of its' stiffness, patients are not able to walk comfortably.
The newer, non-removable total contact softcast (TCS) is easy in its application and comfortable to walk upon.
Healing in patients given the TCS are compared to a cohort of patients treated with a non-removable total contact cast (TCC).

Who can participate?
Data from patients who received treatment for a DFU using one of the two types of cast between 2010 and 2017 were included.

What does the study involve?
Patients treated with a TCC are compared to patients treated with a TCS. Wounds are evaluated weekly at the hospital.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
None

Where is the study run from?
The study is run from the Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis Assen and supported by the University Medical Centre of Groningen (Netherlands)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
May 2015 to June 2021

Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded

Who is the main contact?
Dr B.P. Vierhout, Bas.Vierhout@WZA.NL

Contact information

Dr Bastiaan Vierhout
Scientific

Nicolaas Beetslaan 35
Assen
9405BC
Netherlands

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-8381-0479
Phone +31 (0)629601484
Email bas.vierhout@wza.nl

Study information

Study designObservational cohort study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCohort study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet No participant information sheet available (retrospective study)
Scientific titleNon-removable total contact cast vs non-removable total contact softcast in diabetic foot ulcers
Study objectivesA total contact softcast (TCS) heals as many diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) when compared to a classic total contact cast (TCC).
Ethics approval(s)Approved 29/05/2018, University Medical Ethical Committee of the University Medical Center of Groningen (P.O.Box 30 001, 9700RB Groningen, Netherlands; +31 503614204; metc@umcg.nl), ref: M19.230293
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedDiabetic foot ulcer
InterventionPatients with a plantar DFU were treated with a TCC or a TCS and followed for 6 months to evaluate the healing of the DFU.
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measurePercentage of patients with complete ulcer healing within 6 months after the start of treatment with a cast measured using patient records
Secondary outcome measuresTime to healing (days) measured using patient records
Overall study start date01/05/2015
Completion date01/06/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupSenior
SexBoth
Target number of participants60
Total final enrolment61
Key inclusion criteria1. Diabetic patient
2. Open diabetic foot ulcer
3. Ulcer at the plantar part of the foot
4. Neuropathic ulcer
Key exclusion criteria1. Diabetic without an ulcer
2. Ischemic ulcer
3. Compliance issues
Date of first enrolment01/01/2010
Date of final enrolment01/01/2018

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Netherlands

Study participating centre

Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis Assen
Europaweg-Zuid 1
Assen
9401RK
Netherlands

Sponsor information

University Medical Center Groningen
Hospital/treatment centre

Hanzeplein 1
Groningen
9700RB
Netherlands

Phone +31 (0)503616161
Email M.dam@treant.nl
Website http://www.umcg.nl/EN
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03cv38k47

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

ChiCoN BV, chirurgen coöperatie Noord-Nederland

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/03/2022
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planThe results are offered for publication to an international journal
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available upon request from BP Vierhout (bas.vierhout@wza.nl). Data will be available during 2022 to research teams with obvious interest for the techniques used in the publication. Data will remain anonymised.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 10/08/2022 12/08/2022 Yes No

Editorial Notes

12/08/2022: Publication reference added.
08/12/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by University Medical Ethical Committee of the University Medical Center of Groningen.