New evidence behind WOUNDCHEK Protease Status to be presented at EWMA conference

New evidence behind the world's first point of care wound diagnostic test, WOUNDCHEK™ Protease Status, to be presented at the European Wound Management Association (EWMA)'s conference in May 2012 confirms the importance of protease activity in wound healing and wound assessment, quantifies elevated protease activity (EPA), and also presents preliminary results on testing for and treating EPA in clinical practice.

New evidence shows that EPA is associated with a 90% probability of a wound not healing without appropriate intervention. Twenty-eight percent of non-healing wounds are thought to have EPA; however, a recent study reveals that there are no visual cues to detect it. "Early detection and treatment is key." says Dr Rob Snyder, Systagenix Medical Director "You can't tell which wounds have EPA, no matter their aetiology, age, or appearance. In the absence of visual cues, EPA would go undetected resulting in the probability of poor or delayed healing. As a consequence, inappropriate wound care could have a tremendous negative impact on the patients' quality of life while costing billions globally in unnecessary treatments. This is why WOUNDCHEK™ Protease Status, the only device commercially available to physicians in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to detect EPA, is set to revolutionize wound care by finally helping clinicians to implement a test-and-treat algorithm that has eluded them until today."

Much as infection in a wound is often treated with antimicrobial dressings and systemic antibiotics (when required) to foster an appropriate healing trajectory, EPA should likewise be treated with protease modulating therapies such as Collagen/ORC in similar fashion. The evidence to be launched at EWMA shows how Collagen/ORC dressings are more effective on wounds with EPA than other wound dressings currently available. In a retrospective study of 56 venous leg ulcers, wounds with EPA had a 77% response rate to Collagen/ORC, compared to just a 10% probability of healing without treatment. These findings remained consistent regardless of wound age, appearance, or previous treatments.

Dr Rob Snyder continues: "This is exciting new evidence. Many professionals we spoke to intuitively felt that EPA only occurred in the oldest and trickiest wounds, and therefore, perceptually only recalcitrant ulcers required testing and treatment with protease modulating therapies (e.g. Collagen/ORC). However, new evidence clearly shows that EPA can occur in all chronic/stalled wounds, regardless of their ages, aetiologies, or appearances; some 3 month old wounds, for example, have tested 'Elevated' (EPA) while some 6 year old ulcers have returned a 'Low' test result. Education regarding the diagnosis and treatment of EPA, therefore, remains critical; recent data shows that when used early in the treatment regime, Collagen/ORC can reach response rates of up to 88% in wounds with a duration of less than one year. Early detection and treatment of EPA will be vital to improving healing rates and preventing recalcitrance that could cost billions. Ultimately this could result in forestalling disability and pain affecting thousands of patients".

Six new posters will be supported by a symposium: 'Testing for EPA- The arrival of wound diagnostics' chaired by Prof. Keith Harding, in which several key opinion leaders in wound care will be presenting the latest research and clinical developments on the recently launched WOUNDCHEK™ Protease Status. In this session Dr. Thomas Serena will cover 'Defining EPA: development of the test and sampling technique', Jacqui Fletcher 'Assessing for EPA to determine appropriate care pathway for venous leg ulcers in the UK' and Dr. Severin Läuchli 'First experiences and implementation of testing in routine clinical practice'.    

WOUNDCHEK™ Protease Status is not currently cleared by FDA for sale within the US market.