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The trial, a 108-patient randomized and controlled clinical trial, lookedat venous leg ulcers that had been proven to be non-healing under standardtreatment (compression therapy). In the study, half the patients had a commonadvanced wound care gel added to the standard treatment, and half hadComvita's Active Leptospermum (Manuka) Honey (now marketed under the brandname MEDIHONEY) added. After four weeks, the mean reduction in size of thewounds was 34% in the honey group and 13% in the control group. After 12weeks, there was a 44% complete healing rate in the honey group vs. only 33%in the control group. Both these differences were statistically significant.
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The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, and werewritten by lead investigators Georgina T. Gethin and Seamus Cowman, both ofthe Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. They concluded that, "the [honey]group had shown a greater incidence of healing, more effective desloughing,and lower incidence of infection than the control group."
CEO Ed Quilty stated, "We are pleased that this important finding has beenrecognized in such a well-regarded peer reviewed journal serving the globalmarket. Since the product's launch in Europe a couple of years ago, and thenthe launch in the US and Canada this year, clinicians have consistentlyreported that MEDIHONEY is effective on stalled ulcers of various etiologies.The recently published study now provides clear evidence of this bydemonstrating results proven in a rigorous randomized controlled study.Clinicians can now feel confident in the value that they place on MEDIHONEYand the role it has to play in an overall treatment strategy.
This is significant for our product as currently, only 50% of chronicwounds heal with first-line treatment options. It is also significant forpatients who suffer the effects of notoriously painful leg ulcers, withuncommonly long durations - sometimes lasting years."
Wound care is a major healthcare market with an estimated value of $10billion in 2007 that is expected to grow to $12.5 billion by 2012. The globalgrowth is being driven by several factors, including an aging population, therise in the global incidence of diabetes and chronic vascular disorders, and asteady advancement in wound care technologies.
The Journal of Clinical Nursing (JCN) is an international, peer reviewed,scientific journal that seeks to promote the development and exchange ofknowledge that is directly relevant to all spheres of nursing practice. Theprimary aim is to promote a high standard of clinically related scholarshipwhich supports the practice and discipline of nursing. JCN publishes highquality papers on issues related to clinical nursing, regardless of where careis provided. This includes - but is not limited to - ambulatory care,community care, family care, home, hospital, practice, primary and secondary,and public health.
For more information on the Journal of Clinical Nursing, please visit:http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0962-1067
About Derma Sciences
Derma Sciences is a global manufacturer and marketer of advanced wound-care products. Its key product, MEDIHONEY, is sold throughout the world byDerma Sciences and Comvita New Zealand -- the licensor of the patented honey-based technology -- and is the leading bran
