Diabetes
Conditions
Brief summary
Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of illness worldwide. Diabetes can affect nerves, skin and blood vessels. Diabetics with problems in their nerves can lose the sense of touch in their feet (called neuropathy) and so may unknowingly cause damage to the skin resulting in skin loss or an 'ulcer'. Diabetics also have difficulty healing any damaged tissues especially if the patients have diseased blood vessels causing a lack of blood to areas of the body including the feet (called ischaemia).
Detailed description
Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of illness worldwide. Diabetes can affect nerves, skin and blood vessels. Diabetics with problems in the patients nerves can lose the sense of touch in the patient's feet (called neuropathy) and so may unknowingly cause damage to the skin resulting in skin loss or an 'ulcer'. Diabetics also have difficulty healing any damaged tissues especially if the patient have diseased blood vessels causing a lack of blood to areas of the body including the feet (called ischaemia). Therefore diabetics have a greater chance of having an ulcer and a higher chance that it does not heal up. The loss of a protective skin barrier means that bacteria can enter the foot causing infections which can spread to bone and beyond. Ultimately this can result in gangrene, amputation or even death. Stem or progenitor cells help repair and replace damage in the body. Blood vessels are key to this repair. Recent research has suggested that special progenitor cells found in the blood may be responsible. They are called Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) and seem to be in fewer numbers and are less effective at repair in diabetics. Current treatments for diabetic wounds are not always successful and so the investigators need more research to look at new treatments. One possibility is to use electrical stimulation of nerves in the leg. Research studies have shown this may improve blood circulation and healing of wounds. This research will assess EPCs to see if they are linked to ulcer healing in diabetic patients with neuropathy only or with ischaemia as well. Furthermore the investigators wish to investigate whether electrical stimulation can affect progenitor cells and wound healing in these patients. The longterm goal of this research is to help diabetic patients improve their quality of life by reducing wound related complications
Interventions
DEVICEElectrical stimulation device.
In the intervention group, all participants will receive Geko device which will produce electrical stimulation to enhance wound healing. This is the non- invasive device, self adhesive, light and does not restrict the patient's movement. Wound will be measured at the beginning of the study (before the device is applied) and after the study is complete. Blood and wound tissue samples will also be taken pre and post electrical stimulation to observe the effect of electrical stimulation on wound healing in people with diabetes.
Sponsors
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Firstkind Ltd
University of Manchester
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Consenting patients with Type 1 or 2 diabetes. * Male or female, aged 18-85 years. * Presence of significant neuropathic ulcers. * Presence of significant neuroischaemic ulcers. * Patients who are able and willing to follow the protocol requirements.
Exclusion criteria
* Unreliable, unwilling or unable to comprehend informed consent. * Patients with recently diagnosed or with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT). * Patients without neuroischaemic/ neuropathic ulcers * Patients with cardiac demand pacemakers. * Patients who are pregnant.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Improvement in ulcer size at monthly intervals up to 12 months follow up. | 12 months | The wound will be measured after the electrical stimulation produced by Geko device is applied. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of wounds healed at monthly intervals up to 12 months followup | 12 months | Percentage of wounds healed after the electrical stimulation produced by Geko device is applied. |
Outcome results
None listed