The NIDDK Diabetic Foot Consortium—So People with Diabetes May Stand Firm
Sunday, June 25, at 8:00 a.m. PT
Room 33
San Diego Convention Center
Presentation: Does a Defect in Barrier Function of the Repaired Skin Predict Diabetic Foot Ulcer Recurrence?
Chandan K. Sen, PhD
Distinguished Professor and J Stanley Battersby Chair of Surgery,
Indiana University
What is your presentation about?
Current FDA standard for wound closure requires covering of the wound with no discharge and does not account for restoration of barrier function. Recent works show that wounds may close without reestablishing barrier function of the skin as measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Closed wounds lacking barrier function, i.e., high TEWL, are more likely to recur. I will present the findings of the first to complete NIH Diabetic Foot Consortium trial testing the above mentioned hypothesis.
What makes this topic important in 2023?
Recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) is a major public health problem that directly contributes to limb amputation. Results of this first to complete NIH Diabetic Foot Consortium study (TEWL) is aimed at identifying a point-of-care clinical biomarker of DFU recurrence.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
Our program has had long-standing interest in studying diabetic wound complications. As the TEWL study PI and member of the Diabetic Foot Consortium Executive Committee, it has been my privilege to contribute to this NIDDK-sponsored mission area.
How do you think your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
Presentation of the results of the first to complete NIH Diabetic Foot Consortium study (TEWL) is an unprecedented landmark development in the field of diabetic wound care. Results of the study are likely to redefine the clinical care endpoint of wound closure highlighting the need to restore barrier function at the affected site. This notion of functional wound closure and its significance as a biomarker of DFU recurrence are striking developments of direct relevance to the practice of diabetic wound care. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) can be measured at the point of care using a clinically validated handheld device. Thus, the barrier to implementation in clinical practice is low.
What are you most looking forward to at the 83rd Scientific Sessions?
I am looking forward to the reporting of transformative scientific discoveries that would help manage diabetic complications and therefore improve the quality of life of patients with diabetes.