Between 50-90 percent of leprosy hospital beds are in continual use by patients with ulcers. Hospital stays for ulcer care can last weeks or months.
Thanks to a NIHR grant (almost £5million), The Leprosy Mission, University of Birmingham and GLRA are conducting a large study in India, Nepal and Nigeria “Transforming the Treatment and Prevention of Leprosy and Buruli ulcers in Low and Middle-Income Countries” with two main aims: Improving clinical care of wounds and Supporting self-care for people in the community who are at risk of recurring ulcers.
Saline dressings are standard in the healing of wounds. Are there better, more sustainable ways to treat wounds - both in hospitals and in the community?
Anandaban Hospital, Nepal is trialling the use of Leukocyte Platelet Rich Fibrin (LRPF) to promote healing of wounds through the Trial of Autologous Blood products to promote ulcer healing in Leprosy (TABLE) study. The patient's own blood is centrifuged to separate and concentrate white blood cells and growth factors, which are then applied directly to the wound. Early results show wounds treated with LPRF heal completely within weeks, and, very importantly, without scarring, reducing the risk of recurrence.
The Leprosy Mission Nigeria is conducting a randomised controlled trial Honey Experiment on LeProsy Ulcer (HELP), comparing honey with standard saline dressings.
Leprosy Review Dec 2021 contains several papers from this part of the study.
One of the outcomes of the study will be the development of self-care guidelines. The Leprosy Mission Trust India are working alongside persons affected by leprosy to learn how these guidelines will work best within their lives and their communities. They will work with patients on co-developing a version of the guidelines that will be specific to the communities they are working with.
“The world class facilities of The Leprosy Mission and the number of people affected by leprosy which are served, provides a unique opportunity for researchers to collaborate in the global fight against leprosy.”
This study, funded by the Leprosy Research Initiative aims to investigate whether removable off-oading devices are as effective as total contact cast to promote healing of non-complicated plantar ulcers. The Leprosy Mission Trust India explain the study in our February 2022 Research Magazine.
