24 May 2023 • Twice-daily esmolol hydrochloride gel appears to significantly improve closure of diabetic foot ulcers, particularly in patients with risk factors for impeded wound healing, recent research published in JAMA Network Open suggests. In this randomized clinical trial that included 176 patients with diabetic foot ulcers, application of topical esmolol,14% gel, with the standard of care demonstrated a significant proportion of ulcer closure compared with standard of care alone. In addition, benefits were shown in patients with factors that impede the healing of diabetic foot ulcers.

"The use of esmolol in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in addition to standard of care may be an important addition to the endeavor of healing diabetic foot ulcers," write Dr. Ashu Rastogi, MD, DM, Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, and colleagues.

The proportion of participants who achieved target ulcer closure within 12 weeks was statistically significant, with 41 of 68 (60.3%) participants achieving target ulcer closure in the esmolol with SoC group and 30 of 72 (41.7%) participants in SoC only group. The impact of adding esmolol gel to standard of care was even greater in patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 25 kg/m2 and in those who weighed more than 80 kg.

The findings of this randomized clinical trial indicate that topical esmolol may be an appropriate addition to the standard of care for treating diabetic foot ulcers.

Source: JAMA Network Open | Read full story