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Referencias

References to studies included in this review

Armstrong 1997 {published data only}

Armstrong SH, Brown DA, Hill E, Ruckley CV, Pucheault M, Hofman D. A randomized comparative clinical trial of a new hydrofibre dressing versus an alginate dressing in the treatment of exuding leg ulcers. Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Advances in Wound Management; 1995, 21‐24 November; Harrogate, UK. 1995.
Armstrong SH, Ruckley CV. Use of a fibrous dressing in exuding leg ulcers. Journal of Wound Care 1997;6(7):322‐4.

Harding 2001 {published data only}

Harding KG, Price P,  Robinson B, Thomas S, Hofman D. Cost and dressing evaluation of hydrofiber and alginate dressings in the management of community‐based patients with chronic leg ulceration. Wounds: A Compendium of Clinical Research & Practice 2001;13(6):229‐36.
Robinson B, Harding K, Thomas S, Cherry G. Does the dressing make a difference? A comparative cost‐effectiveness clinical trial of two modern primary dressings on leg ulcers. European Wound Management Association Conference; 1997, 27‐29 April; Milan, Italy. 1997.
Robinson BJ. An open, prospective, randomized multi‐centre study of a new hydrofibre dressing, Aquacel, in comparison with an alginate in the management of leg ulcers in the UK community. Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Advances in Wound Management; 1‐4 October, 1996; Amsterdam. 1997.

Límová 2003 {published data only}

Límová M. Evaluation of two calcium alginate dressings in the management of venous ulcers. Ostomy/Wound Management 2003;49(9):26‐8, 30, 32‐3.

Moffatt 1992 {published data only}

Moffatt CJ, Oldroyd MI, Franks PJ. Assessing a calcium alginate dressing for venous ulcers of the leg. Journal of Wound Care 1992;1(4):22‐4.

Smith 1994 {published data only}

Smith BA. The dressing makes the difference. Trial of two modern dressings on venous ulcers. Professional Nurse 1994;9(5):348, 350‐2.
Smith BA. Venous ulcers ‐ a well‐healed dresser. 2nd European Conference on Advances in Wound Management; 1992, 20‐23 October; Harrogate, UK. 1993.

References to studies excluded from this review

Anonoymous 1997 {published data only}

Anonymous. Differential therapy of chronic wounds [Ein neuer weg zur therapie von dermatomykosen]. Hautarzt 1997;48(2 Suppl):1‐4.

Barnett 1987 {published data only}

Barnett SE, Varley SJ. The effects of calcium alginate of wound healing. Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 1987;69(4):153‐5.

Bull 1996 {published data only}

Bull RH, Andersen KE, Larsen AM, Leigh IM. A comparative study on two alginate dressings: Kaltostat and Comfeel: alginate dressing for exudating venous leg ulcers. Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Advances in Wound Management; 1995, 21‐24 November; Harrogate, UK. 1996.
Bull RH, Leigh IM. Alginate dressings for exudating leg ulcers: a randomized study of Comfeel: alginate dressing vs Kaltostat. 5th Annual Meeting of the European Tissue Repair Society; 1995, August 30‐September 2; Padova, Italy. 1995.
Larsen AM, Ulrik D, Madsen SM. Randomised study on Comfeel: alginate dressing vs Kaltostat on exudating venous leg ulcers. 5th Annual Meeting of the European Tissue Repair Society; 1995, August 30‐September 2; Padova, Italy. 1995.

Capillas Pérez 2000 {published data only}

Capillas Pérez R, Cabré Aguilar V, Gil Colomé AM, Gaitano García A, Torra i Bou JE. Comparison of the effectiveness and cost of treatment with humid environment as compared to traditional cure. Clinical trial on primary care patients with venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers [Comparación de la efectividad y coste de la cura en ambiente húmedo frente a la cura tradicional]. Revista de enfermería 2000;23(1):17‐24.

Chaloner 1992 {published data only}

Chaloner D, Fletcher, Milward P. Clinical trials: comparing dressings. Nursing Standard Special Supplement 1992;7(7):9‐11.

de la Brassinne 2006 {published data only}

de la Brassinne M, Thirion L, Horvat LI. A novel method of comparing the healing properties of two hydrogels in chronic leg ulcers. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2006;20(2):131‐5.

Dmochowska 1999 {published data only}

Dmochowska M, Prokop J, Bielecka S, Urasinska K, Krolicki A, Nagaj E, et al. A randomized, controlled, parallel group clinical trial of a polyurethane foam dressing versus a calcium alginate dressing in the treatment of moderately to heavily exuding venous leg ulcers. Wounds: A Compendium of Clinical Research and Practice 1999;11(1):21‐8.
Jasiel E, Nowak A, Gwiezdzinski Z, Bowszyc J, Szarmach H, Blaszsyc. A randomized, controlled, parallel‐group clinical trial of a new polyurethane foam dressing (Lyofoam Extra) versus a calcium alginate dressing (Sorbsan) plus a low‐adherence dressing (Melolin) in the treatment of moderate to heavily exuding venous leg ulcers. Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Advances in Wound Management; 1‐4 October, 1996; Amsterdam. 1996.
Nowak A, Bowszyc P, Blaszczyk M. A randomised, controlled, parallel group clinical trial of a new polyurethane foam dressings versus calcium alginate dressing in the treatment of moderately to heavily exuding venous ulcers. Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Advances in Wound Management; 1995, 21‐24 November; Harrogate, UK. 1996.

Kammerlander 2000 {published data only}

Kammerlander G, Andriessen A. An alginate dressing vs a hydrofibre dressing in the management of various wound types, a randomized controlled clinical trial. 1st World Healing Congress, Incorporating the 3rd Australian Wound Management Association Conference; 2000, September 10‐13; Melbourne, Australia. 2000.
Kammerlander G, Andriessen A. An alginate dressing vs. a hydrofiber dressing in the management of various wound types: a randomized controlled clinical trial. 13th Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and 10th Annual Medical Research Forum on Wound Repair; 2000, April 1‐4, Dallas, USA. 2000.

Kordestani 2008 {published data only}

Kordestani S, Shahrezaee M, Tahmasebi MN, Hajimahmodi H, Haji Ghasemali D, Abyaneh MS. A randomised controlled trial on the effectiveness of an advanced wound dressing used in Iran. Journal of Wound Care 2008;17(7):323‐7.

Límová 2002 {published data only}

Limova M. Evaluation of a new hydrocolloid dressing in the management of venous stasis ulcers. 5th European Conference on Advances in Wound Management; 1995, 21‐24 November; Harrogate, UK. 1995.
Límová M, Troyer‐Caudle J. Controlled, randomized clinical trial of 2 hydrocolloid dressings in the management of venous insufficiency ulcers. Journal of Vascular Nursing 2002;20(1):22‐32.

Moody 1991 {published data only}

Moody M. Tissue viability. Calcium alginate: a dressing trial. Nursing Standard ‐ Special Supplement 1991;4(13):3‐6.

Mulder 1995 {published data only}

Mulder G, Jensen J, Seeley J. Use of a hydrocellular dressing versus a calcium alginate in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. 5th Annual Meeting of the European Tissue Repair Society; 1995, August 30‐September 2; Padova, Italy. 1995.
Mulder GD, Como A, Seeley J, Peak Andrews K. A randomised clinical study to evaluate and compare the performance of Allevyn hydrocellular dressing and Kaltostat alginate dressing in the treatment of venous ulcers. Proceedings of the 4th European Conference on Advances in Wound Management; 1994, September 6‐9; Copenhagen, Denmark. 1995.

Petres 1994 {published data only}

Petres J, Rompel R, Nölting S, Payne J. Alginates versus hydrocolloids in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. 3rd European Conference on Advances in Wound Management; 1993, 19‐22 October; Harrogate, UK. 1994.

Romanelli 2008 {published data only}

Romanelli M, Ellervee T, Jarve H, Kaha E. Amelogenins (Xelma) in hard‐to‐heal venous leg ulcers, an open regime investigation. 16th Conference of the European Wound Management Association; 2006, 18‐20 May; Prague, Czech Republic. 2006.
Romanelli M, Kaha E, Stege H, Wnorowski JW, Vowden P, Majamaa H, et al. Effect of amelogenin extracellular matrix protein and compression on hard‐to‐heal venous leg ulcers: follow‐up data. Journal of Wound Care 2008;17(1):17‐8, 20‐3.
Vowden P, Romanelli M, Peter R, Bostrom A, Josefsson A, Stege H. The effect of amelogenins (Xelma) on hard‐to‐heal venous leg ulcers. Wound Repair and Regeneration 2006;14(3):240‐6.

Romero‐Cerecero 2012 {published data only}

Romero‐Cerecero O, Zamilpa‐ Álvarez A, Jiménez‐Ferrer E, Tortoriello J. Exploratory study on the effectiveness of a standardized extract from Ageratina pichinchensis in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Planta Medica 2012;78(4):304‐10.

Schulze 2001 {published data only}

Schulze H‐J, Lane C, Charles H, Ballard K, Hampton S, Moll I. Evaluating a superabsorbent hydropolymer dressing for exuding venous leg ulcers. Journal of Wound Care 2001;10(1):511‐8.

Scurr 1994 {published data only}

Scurr JH, Wilson LA, Coleridge Smith PD. A comparison of the effects of semipermeable foam and film secondary dressings over alginate dressings on the healing and management of venous ulcers. Wounds: A Compendium of Clinical Research and Practice 1993;5(6):259‐65.
Scurr JH, Wilson LA, Coleridge‐Smith PD. A comparison of calcium alginate and hydrocolloid dressings in the management of chronic venous ulcers. Wounds: A Compendium of Clinical Research and Practice 1994;6(1):1‐8.

Sibbald 2005 {published data only}

Sibbald G, Brassard A, Kay D, Gulliver W, Hull P, Giard F, et al. Evaluation of a new fibronectin based dressing in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. European Wound Management Association Conference; 2005, 15‐17 September; Stuttgart, Germany. 2005.

Stacey 1997 {published data only}

Stacey MC, Jopp‐Mckay AG, Rashid P, Hoskin SE, Thompson PJ. The influence of dressings on venous ulcer healing‐‐a randomised trial. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 1997;13(2):174‐9.

Thomas 1989 {published data only}

Thomas S. Sorbsan in the management of leg ulcers. Pharmaceutical Journal 1989;243:706‐9.

Wild 2010 {published data only}

Wild T, Eberlein T, Andriessen A. Wound cleansing efficacy of two cellulose‐based dressings. Wounds UK 2010;6(3):14‐21.

Additional references

3M Healthcare 2010

3M Healthcare Skin and Wound Care Division. 3M™ Tegaderm™ Alginate: High Integrity and High Gelling Alginate Dressings. 2010. Available from http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/432453O/tegaderm‐hi‐and‐hg‐alginate‐dressing‐brochure‐application.pdf (accessed July 2015).

Augustin 2012

Augustin M, Brocatti LK, Rustenbach SJ, Schäfer I, Herberger K. Cost‐of‐illness of leg ulcers in the community. International Wound Journal 2012;11(3):283‐292. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742‐481X.2012.01089.x]

Aziz 2015

Aziz Z, Cullum N. Electromagnetic therapy for treating venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 7. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002933.pub6]

BNF 2015

British National Formulary, British Medical Association, British Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. British National Formulary. London: British Medical Association, July 2015. Available from http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/formulary/bnf/current (accessed July 2015).

Boateng 2008

Boateng JS, Matthews KH, Stevens HNE, Eccleston GM. Wound healing dressings and drug delivery systems: a review. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2008;97(8):2892‐923.

Briggs 2012

Briggs M, Nelson EA, Martyn‐St James M. Topical agents or dressings for pain in venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 11. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001177.pub3]

Cullum 2010

Cullum N, Al‐Kurdi D, Bell‐Syer SEM. Therapeutic ultrasound for venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 6. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001180.pub3]

Davies 2005

Davies CE, Turton G, Woolfrey G, Elley R, Taylor M. Exploring debridement options for chronic venous leg ulcers. British Journal of Nursing 2005;14(7):393‐7.

Deeks 2011

Deeks JJ, Higgins JPT, Altman DG on behalf of the Cochrane Statistical Methods Group. Chapter 9: Analysing data and undertaking meta‐analyses. In: Higgins JPT, Green S (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011. Available from www.cochrane‐handbook.org.

Doughty 2007

Doughty DB, Holbrook R. Lower‐extremity ulcers of vascular etiology. In: Bryant RA, Nix DP editor(s). Acute and Chronic Wounds: Current Management Concepts. 3rd Edition. St Louis, Missouri, USA: Mosby, 2007.

Gohel 2005

Gohel MS, Taylor M, Earnshaw JJ, Heather BP, Poskitt KR, Whyman MR. Risk factors for delayed healing and recurrence of chronic venous leg ulcers ‐ an analysis of 1324 legs. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2005;29(1):74‐7.

Graham 2003

Graham ID, Margaret B, Harrison MB, Nelson EA, Lorimer K, Fisher A. Prevalence of lower‐limb ulceration: a systematic review of prevalence studies. Advances in Skin and Wound Care 2003;16(6):305‐16.

Hall 2014

Hall J, Buckley HL, Lamb KA, Stubbs N, Saramago P, Dumville JC, Cullum NA. Point prevalence of complex wounds in a defined United Kingdom population. Wound Repair and Regeneration 2014;22(6):694‐700.

Herber 2007

Herber OR, Schnepp W, Rieger MA. A systematic review on the impact of leg ulceration on patients' quality of life. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2007;5:44.

Higgins 2003

Higgins JPT, Thompson SG, Deeks JJ, Altman DG. Measuring inconsistency in meta‐analyses. BMJ 2003;327:557‐60.

Higgins 2011

Higgins JPT, Altman DG, Sterne JAC on behalf of the Cochrane Statistical Methods Group and the Cochrane Bias Methods Group. Chapter 8: Assessing risk of bias in included studies. In: Higgins JPT, Green S (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011. Available from www.cochrane‐handbook.org.

Iglesias 2004

Iglesias C, Nelson EA, Cullum NA, Torgerson DJ on behalf of the VenUS Team. VenUS I: a randomised controlled trial of two types of bandage for treating venous leg ulcers. Health Technology Assessment2004; Vol. 8, issue 29.

Jeffcoate 2009

Jeffcoate WJ, Price PE, Phillips CJ, Game FL, Mudge E, Davies S, et al. Randomised controlled trial of the use of three dressing preparations in the management of chronic ulceration of the foot in diabetes. Health Technology Assessment 2009;13(54):1‐110.

König 2005

König M, Vanscheidt W, Augustin M, Kapp H. Enzymatic versus autolytic debridement of chronic leg ulcers: a prospective randomised trial. Journal of Wound Care 2005;14(7):320‐3.

Lefebvre 2011

Lefebvre C, Manheimer E, Glanville J, on behalf of the Cochrane Information Retrieval Methods Group. Chapter 6: Searching for studies. In: Higgins JPT, Green S (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011. Available from www.cochrane‐handbook.org.

Liberati 2009

Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gotzsche PC, Ioannidis JP, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. PLoS Medicine 2009;6:e1000100.

Lorimer 2003

Lorimer K, Harrison MB, Graham ID, Friedberg E, Davies B. Assessing venous ulcer population characteristics and practices in a home care community. Ostomy/Wound Management 2003;49(5):32‐43.

Margolis 2002

Margolis DJ, Bilker W, Santanna J, Baumgarten M. Venous leg ulcer: the incidence and prevalence in the elderly. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2002;46(3):381‐9.

Margolis 2004

Margolis DJ, Allen‐Taylor L, Hoffstad O, Berlin JA. The accuracy of venous leg ulcer prognostic models in a wound care system. Wound Repair and Regeneration 2004;12(2):163‐8.

Moffatt 1995

Moffatt CJ, Dorman MC. Recurrence of leg ulcers within a community ulcer service. Journal of Wound Care 1995;4(2):57‐61.

Moffatt 2004

Moffatt CJ, Franks PJ, Doherty DC, Martin R, Blewett R, Ross F. Prevalence of leg ulceration in a London population. QJM: monthly journal of the Association of Physicians 2004;97(7):431‐7.

Moffatt 2007

Moffatt C. Compression Therapy in Practice. Aberdeen: Wounds UK Publishing, 2007.

Nelzen 2008

Nelzen O. Prevalence of venous leg ulcer: the importance of the data collection method. Phlebolymphology 2008;15(4):143‐50.

O'Donnell 2014

O’Donnell Jr TF, Passman MA, Marston WA, Ennis WJ, Dalsing M, Kistner RL, Lurie F, Henke PK, Gloviczki ML, Eklöf BG, Stoughton J, Raju S, Shortell CK, Raffetto JD, Partsch H, Pounds LC, Cummings ME, Gillespie DL, McLafferty RB, Murad MH, Wakefield TW, Gloviczki P. Management of venous leg ulcers: clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery® and the American Venous Forum. Journal of Vascular Surgery 2014;60(2S):3S‐59S.

O'Meara 2007

O'Meara SM. Studies in chronic wound healing: synthesising data and measuring ulcer dimensions. PhD thesis. Department of Health Sciences, University of York2007.

O'Meara 2012

O'Meara S, Cullum NA, Nelson EA, Dumville JC. Compression for venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 11. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000265.pub2]

O'Meara 2013

O'Meara S, Martyn‐St James M. Foam dressings for venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 5. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009907.pub2]

O'Meara 2014

O’Meara S, Al‐Kurdi D, Ologun Y, Ovington LG, Martyn‐St James M, Richardson R. Antibiotics and antiseptics for venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 1. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003557.pub5]

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Palfreyman S, Nelson EA, Michaels JA. Dressings for venous leg ulcers: systematic review and meta‐analysis. BMJ 2007;355(7613):244‐8.

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Parmar MK, Torri V, Stewart L. Extracting summary statistics to perform meta‐analyses of the published literature for survival endpoints. Statistics in Medicine 1998;17(30):2815‐34.

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Persoon A, Heinen MA, van der Vleuten CJM, de Rooij MJ, van de Kerkhof PCM, van Achterberg T. Leg ulcers: a review of their impact on daily life. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2004;13(3):341‐54.

Ragnarson Tennvall 2005

Ragnarson Tennvall G, Hjelmgren J. Annual costs of treatment for venous leg ulcers in Sweden and the United Kingdom. Wound Repair and Regeneration 2005;13(1):13‐8.

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Ribeiro CTD, Dias FAL, Fregonezi GAF. Hydrogel dressings for venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 9. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010738]

Ribeiro 2014

Ribeiro CTD, Fregonezi GAF, Resqueti VR, Dornelas de Andrade A, Dias FAL. Hydrocolloid dressings for healing venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 1. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010918]

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Characteristics of studies

Characteristics of included studies [ordered by study ID]

Armstrong 1997

Methods

Design: open, multicenter RCT ‐ 3 centres

Country: UK (2 centres) and France (1 centre)

Setting: centres specialising in the treatment of leg ulceration

Sample size calculation: not reported

Ethical approval: not reported

Informed consent: not reported

Participants

44 patients recruited from centres specialising in the treatment of leg ulceration. Inclusion criteria: males and females over 18 years of age presenting with an ulcer of any aetiology ≤ 7.5 cm in diameter, producing moderate to heavy amounts of exudate. Exclusion criteria: none specified

 

Numbers randomised:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 21 participants

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 23 participants

 

Mean participant age:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 71 years (SD 10)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 65 years (SD 11)

 

Number male:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 10/21 (48%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 13/23 (57%)

 

Number of participants with ulcers of venous, mixed or other aetiology:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 17/21 (81%), 3/21 (14%), 1/21 (5%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 19/23 (83%), 3/23 (13%), 1/23 (4%)

 

ABPI: not reported

 

Unit of analysis: Participant

 

Number of participants who had limited mobility or were immobile:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 13/21 (62%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 11/23 (48%)

 

Baseline ulcer area mm2 ‐ median (range):

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 491 (64‐2081)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 611 (60‐1830)

 

Baseline ulcer duration months ‐ median (range):

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 9 (1‐47)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 12 (1‐120)

 

Ulcer infection: not reported

Participant ulcer history: not reported

 

Number of participants with heavily exuding ulcers:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 1/21 (5%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 5/23 (22%)

 

Comments: a moderately‐exuding wound was defined as one requiring a dressing change every second day with a conventional dressing (tulle), or every third day with an absorbent dressing. A heavily‐exuding wound was defined as needing a dressing change daily, or more frequently, with a conventional dressing, or every second day with a more absorbent dressing

 

The trial authors reported that there was an imbalance as participants in Group 1 had ulcers which were smaller and of shorter duration at baseline

Interventions

Group 1: hydrocolloid‐fibrous dressing (Aquacel, manufacturer not reported)

Group 2: alginate dressing (Kaltostat, ConvaTec)

The dressing was changed if there had been leakage, if infection was suspected, if a participant complained of pain, or once it had been in place for 7 days. A standardised secondary dressing and bandaging regimen applied over the primary dressing consisted of an occlusive hydrocolloid (DuoDerm Extra Thin) as the secondary dressing and, if indicated, orthopaedic padding and a Class 3C compression bandage (Tensopress)

 Description of compression therapy: Class 3C compression bandage (Tensopress)

Length of treatment: 6 weeks, or until healing if sooner

 Follow‐up: 6 weeks

Outcomes

Review‐relevant outcomes:

Time to healing: not reported.

Proportion of ulcers healed: reported, photography and planimetry used to measure the wound on enrolment, on days 14 and 28, and on completion of the trial period

Change in ulcer size: reported.

Healing rate: not reported.

Quality of life: not reported.

Costs: reported, direct costs (primary dressings, compression treatment and saline wound cleanser) and indirect costs (nurse time, calculated at GBP 2.03 per dressing change) measured. Costs based on 1995 Drug Tariff prices and manufacturer's costs for the hydrocolloid dressing.Total dressing cost was calculated per participant. Mean cost to achieve a healed ulcer was calculated by treatment group. Mean wear time was estimated from the first to last dressing change

Pain: reported, pain on dressing removal assessed on a scale of 0‐5 (0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe, 4 = excruciating, 5 = unable to respond).

Debridement: not reported.

Haemostasis: not reported.

Dressing performance ‐ exudate handling: secondary reference mentions 'noting leakage', but exudate levels not reported in the results

Dressing performance – adherence/sticking: secondary reference mentions 'ease of removal', but not reported in the results.

Adverse events: reported, safety monitored by documenting all adverse events

 

Other outcomes assessed by the trial: none reported.

Notes

Sponsor: ConvaTec Ltd (trial number not reported)

Number participants withdrawing and reasons:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  5/21 (24%) participant request, 1; adverse events, 4

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 7/23 (30%) all due to adverse events

Adverse events that prompted withdrawal described as: bleeding; increased erythema; and deterioration of the ulcer (not reported by group)

Risk of bias

Bias

Authors' judgement

Support for judgement

Random sequence generation (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Quote: “Twenty‐one patients were randomized to the Hydrocolloid dressing and 23 to the alginate.” (Armstrong 1996)

Comment: sequence generation method not reported

Allocation concealment (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Quote: “Subjects were then randomized to the primary dressings under investigation by the use of sealed envelopes opened in a numerical order.”

Comment: no statements about whether the envelopes were opaque

Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes

Unclear risk

Quote: “An open, comparative, randomized, multi‐centre trial design was adopted.” (Armstrong 1996)

Comment: no statement regarding blinding of participants or study personnel

Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes

Unclear risk

Quote: “An open, comparative, randomized, multi‐centre trial design was adopted.” (Armstrong 1996)

Comment: no statement regarding blinded outcome assessment

Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes

Low risk

Quote: “Data were analysed on an intention‐to‐treat basis.”

Selective reporting (reporting bias)

High risk

Comment: the reported outcome of proportion of participants achieving a 7‐day wear time was not mentioned in the methods section. Two outcomes in the secondary reference (exudate handling ability of the dressing and ease of removal) were not reported. Trial protocol not available (email communication with trial sponsor).

Harding 2001

Methods

Design: open, multicenter RCT ‐ 4 centres

Country: UK (4 centres)

Setting: community

Sample size calculation: a sample size of 90 evaluable participants (i.e. either completed the 12 week trial or healed) estimated as having 80% power to detect between‐group difference in mean wear time of 1 day at 5% significance, assuming a SD of 1.7 days

Ethical approval: ethical approval was granted from the relevant local ethics committees

Informed consent: participants were recruited once written informed consent was obtained

Participants

Recruited 131 participants with moderately‐ to heavily‐exuding leg ulcers.

Inclusion criteria: people with moderately‐ to heavily‐exuding leg ulcers of varying aetiology, provided they were suitable for treatment with either dressing. Wound aetiology assessed using patient history and Doppler.

Exclusion criteria: people who had been in the trial previously and those with: a known history of poor compliance with treatments, wounds too large for the dressings, or dry eschar on the wound

 

Numbers randomised:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 66 participants

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 65 participants

 

Mean participant age (range):

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 75.53 years (35‐93)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 77.6 years (43‐97)

 

Number male:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 21/66 (32%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 12/65 (18%)

 

Number participants with ulcers of venous, mixed, arterial or diabetic aetiology:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 54/66 (82%), 9/66 (13%), 2/66 (3%), 1/66 (2%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 49/65 (75%), 6/65 (10%), 9/65 (13%), 1/66 (2%)

 

ABPI: not reported

Unit of analysis: participant

Participant mobility: not reported

Baseline ulcer area: not reported

Exclusion criteria included wounds that were too large for the dressings. Dressings used were 5 cm x 5 cm and 10 cm x 10 cm

 

Baseline ulcer duration: not reported

Ulcer infection: not reported

Participant ulcer history: not reported

Participant baseline exudate levels: not reported

 

Comments: trial authors reported that participants were well matched in terms of baseline wound characteristics, but no data were reported

Interventions

Group 1: hydrocolloid fibre dressing (Aquacel, ConvaTec)

Group 2: alginate dressing (Sorbsan®, Maersk)

Both dressings available in 5 cm x 5 cm and 10 cm x 10 cm sizes. Both groups received an absorbant pad as a secondary dressing (Release, Johnson & Johnson). Dressings could be left in place for up to 7 days (according to manufacturers' instructions) and were changed according to clinical need. If the wound became infected, dressings in Group 2 were changed daily (manufacturers' instructions). If the wound became infected during the trial, systemic antibiotics were prescribed and the participant remained in the trial. If topical antibiotic treatment was required, the participant was withdrawn from the trial

 

Description of compression therapy: where clinically indicated, compression provided using orthopaedic padding and a Class 3C elastic bandage (SurePress, ConvaTec)

 

Length of treatment: 12 weeks, or until healing

Follow‐up: participants were followed up until they healed, or for a maximum of 12 weeks

Outcomes

Review relevant outcomes reported:

 

Time to healing: reported, wound size assessed using acetate tracings. Wound assessments performed on a weekly basis. Analysed using log rank test to compare Kaplan‐Meier survival curves

Proportion of ulcers healed: reported

Change in ulcer size: reported

Healing rate: not reported

Quality of life: not reported

Costs: reported, cost ‐effectiveness calculated by comparing clinical costs with costs in the International Committee on Wound Management and the Health economic UK Guidelines. All materials used at each dressing change were used to estimate mean costs. Included an additional GBP 15 (USD 21.53) at each dressing change to reflect cost of nursing staff. Costs calculated using May 2000 Drug Tariff prices (with the exception of the orthopaedic wool). Estimated a mean cost associated with a 1 cm2 reduction and a 10% reduction in ulcer area per treatment group, and the mean cost of a healed ulcer

Pain: reported, pain on dressing removal was assessed by participant self‐reporting on a four‐point scale ('no pain' to 'severe pain'). Also, pain on dressing removal was assessed by the participant on a “yes/no” basis

Debridement: not reported

Haemostasis: not reported

Dressing performance – exudate handling: reported, assessed by investigator using 4‐point scale ranging from “poor” to “excellent” on a patient‐by‐patient basis

Dressing performance – adherence/sticking: reported, assessed by investigator using 4‐point scale ranging from “poor” to “excellent” on a patient‐by‐patient basis. Also, at each dressing change dressings were assessed for adhesion on a "yes/no" basis

Adverse events: not reported

 

Other outcomes assessed by the trial: ease of application and residue observed on dressing change

Review authors' comment: the trial authors stated that ease of dressing removal, exudate handling and level of pain on dressing removal were assessed by both the investigator and participant

Notes

Sponsor: ConvaTec (trial number not reported)

Participant withdrawal: trial authors did not report on participant withdrawal in the primary reference. Secondary reference reported a larger sample size described as “mainly community based”. Possibility that primary reference only reported on the community‐based participants (not stated)

 

Number participants withdrawing based on review authors' comparison between primary and secondary references:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 1/67 (1.5%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 4/69 (6%)

Risk of bias

Bias

Authors' judgement

Support for judgement

Random sequence generation (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Quote: “Patients were randomized to one of the following dressings:”

Comment: sequence generation method not reported

Allocation concealment (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Quote: “Randomization to study treatment using sealed envelopes was made at this point and the patients' wounds dressed accordingly, . . . ”

Comment: no statement that envelopes were opaque and sequentially numbered

Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes

Unclear risk

Quote: “This paper reports the results of an open, prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter evaluation . . .”

Comment: no statement regarding blinding of participants or study personnel

Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes

Unclear risk

Quote: “Both the investigator and patient measured the secondary outcomes”

Comment: no statement regarding blinded outcome assessment of primary outcomes

Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes

Low risk

Quote: “Data were processed on an 'intention to treat' basis so that all information relating to a subject who participated in the study was retained

Selective reporting (reporting bias)

High risk

Quote: ”Both the investigator and patient measured the secondary outcomes.”

Comment: only one set of results was presented for the secondary outcomes and it was not reported whether these were assessed by the participants or investigators

 

Quote: “Overall ease of application and removal was assessed by the investigator using a four‐point scale ranging from ‘poor’ to ‘excellent’ on a patient‐by‐patient basis.”

Comment: results were not presented for the full 4‐point scale for ease of application – only the proportion recorded as “excellent” was reported

Límová 2003

Methods

Design: open RCT

Country: USA (2 centres)

Setting: outpatients

Sample size calculation: not reported

Ethical approval: not reported

Informed consent: one of the inclusion criteria was that participants should be willing to sign informed consent before enrolment

Participants

Recruited 20 people from wound clinics.

Inclusion criteria: outpatients ≥ 21 years, able to understand the product application and assessment procedures, and willing to sign informed consent. Required to have a venous insufficiency ulcer of at least 1 month duration, with area 3 cm2 to 100 cm2 and moderate (3‐5 ml) to large amount (> 5 ml) of exudate. Initial assessment included recording ulcer history and determination of ulcer status (stable, improving or worsening).

Exclusion criteria: ABPI < 0.8, uncontrolled diabetes, underlying vasculitis, on immunosuppressive therapy, ulcer showing signs of infection, presence of pre‐existing local skin disease or condition that could affect trial results, or an allergy to the trial materials

 

Numbers randomised:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 11 participants

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 9 participants

 

Baseline data were reported for participants completing the trial:

Group 1 (Tegagen ™ HG): 10 participants

Group 2 (Sorbsan®): 9 participants

 

Participant age ‐ mean (range):

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 75.4 years (51‐88)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 72.1 years (45‐93)

 

Number male:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 3/10 (30%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 0/9 (0%)

 

ABPI: ABPI < 0.8 amongst exclusion criteria. No data reported by group.

Unit of analysis: participant

Participant mobility: not reported

 

Baseline ulcer area cm2 ‐ mean (range):

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 6.9 (1.0‐16.8)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 8.5 (1.6‐21.7)

 

Baseline ulcer duration ‐ mean (range):

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 6.1 months (2‐14)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 9.1 months (1‐24)

 

Participant ulcer history: not reported

 

Number of ulcers categorised as worsening, stable, improving (exact nature of this variable unclear from RCT report):

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 4/10 (40%), 6/10 (60%), 0/10 (0%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 7/9 (77.8%), 2/9 (22.2%), 0/9 (0%)

 

Ulcer infection: participants with ulcers showing signs of infection were excluded.

 

Number of participants with ulcers with foul odour:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 1/10 (10.0%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 2/9 (22.2%)

 

Number participants with medium to large amounts of exudate:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 10/10 (100%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 9/9 (100%)

Breakdown by medium and large levels of exudate not reported

 

Number of participants with purulent serosanguineous exudate:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 3/10 (30%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 6/9 (66.7%)

 

Number of participants with macerated peri‐wound skin:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 5/10 (50%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 4/9 (44.4%)

 

Number of participants with necrotic tissue:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 10/10 (100%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 9/9 (100%)

 

Number of participants with ulcers that required debridement:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 7/10 (70%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 3/9 (33.3%)

 

Comment: recruited some participants with ulcers smaller than those described as eligible for inclusion

Interventions

Group 1: alginate dressing (Tegagen ™ HG (High Gelling),3M)

Group 2: alginate dressing (Sorbsan®, Dow Hickman)

Need for debridement (surgical debridement not requiring anaesthesia) of fibrin or necrotic tissue from wounds assessed at weekly dressing changes. Dressing changes completed weekly. The secondary dressing (Tegasorb hydrocolloid dressing, 3M) the same for both groups. Applied 3M Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film (3M) if peri‐wound skin was denuded or macerated

 

Description of compression therapy:

Medicopaste Bandage (Graham‐Field) and 3M Coban Self‐Adhesive Wrap (3M)

 

Length of treatment: 6 weeks, or until ulcer no longer required the use of an alginate dressing

Follow‐up: participants followed up for a maximum of 6 weeks, or until the venous leg ulcer no longer required the use of a calcium alginate dressing

Outcomes

Review‐relevant outcomes reported:

 

Time to healing: not reported

Proportion of ulcers healed: reported, wounds assessed weekly using a wound tracing and a photograph

Change in ulcer size: reported

Healing rate: not reported

Quality of life: not reported

Costs: reported, recorded the number of dressing changes over the course of the trial

Pain: reported, comfort during dressing wear and at removal assessed by asking participants if they experienced itching, pain, or other problems. Dressings rated on a scale of 1 (very good) to 5 (very poor)

Debridement: reported, recorded the percentage of visits where necrotic tissue was observed and debridement required. The amount of necrotic tissue was graded as 0 = none, 1 = ≤25%, 2 = 26%‐50%, 3 = 51%‐75%, 4 = 76%‐99%, 5 = 100%

Haemostasis: not reported

Dressing performance – exudate handling: reported, estimated by observation of the wound and dressing at dressing removal (dry wound; small amount, 1‐2 ml exudate; medium amount, 3‐5 ml exudate; large, > 5 ml exudate). Dressings rated on scale ranging from 1 (very good) to 5 (very poor) in terms of exudate absorption

Dressing performance ‐ ease of removal: reported, rated during weekly assessment visits on a scale ranging from 1 (very good) to 5 (very poor). Dressing adherence to wound bed rated as 'yes' or 'no'

Adverse events: reported, peri‐wound skin condition classified as normal, denuded, macerated, or flaky/dry. Reported whether peri‐wound skin required medication

 

Other outcomes assessed by the trial: condition of the wound edge; type and amount of necrotic tissue; amount of granular tissue and epithelialisation; dressing comfort; ease of application; conformability of dressing to the site; itching or other problems; and dressing residue on wound bed

Notes

Sponsor: a 'company sponsor' is mentioned as having provided training to evaluators, but name not provided.

Number of participants withdrawing and reasons:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 1/11(9%), left after 1 week due to an unrelated adverse event

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): no details regarding participant withdrawal reported, assume 0/9 (0)

Risk of bias

Bias

Authors' judgement

Support for judgement

Random sequence generation (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Quote: “Patients provided informed consent and were randomized to one of the treatment groups according to the protocol randomization schedule.”

Comment: sequence generation method not reported

Allocation concealment (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Comment: allocation method not reported

Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes

Unclear risk

Quote: “The purpose of this open, randomized, controlled clinical study was to compare the performance characteristics and clinical effect of two calcium alginate dressings in the management of venous leg ulcers:”

Comment: no statement regarding blinding of participants or study personnel

Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes

Unclear risk

Quote: “All wound assessments and dressing performance evaluations were undertaken by either the primary investigator or her designate (RN staff member).”

Comment: no statement regarding blinding of the outcome assessment

Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes

Low risk

Quote: “One patient in the Alginate A group (Group 1) left the study after 1 week due to an unrelated adverse event and was not included in the analyses.”

Comment: reason for drop‐out stated as unrelated to treatment (although nature of the adverse event not reported)

Selective reporting (reporting bias)

Low risk

Comment: outcomes described in the methods section matched those reported in the results section

Unable to obtain trial protocol

Moffatt 1992

Methods

Design: RCT (pilot study)

Country: UK

Setting: community

Sample size calculation: not reported, trial was a pilot study

Ethical approval and informed consent: trial authors described methods used in the discussion section of the paper, and indicated that ethical approval and informed consent were both obtained

Participants

Recruited 60 patients from the community

Inclusion criteria: people with ulcers < 10 cm2. All participants had ABPI measurements

Exclusion criteria: ABPI < 0.8

 

Numbers randomised:

Group 1 (plain non‐adherent dressing): 30 participants

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 30 participants

 

Median participant age (range):

Group 1 (plain non‐adherent dressing): 70 years (38‐88)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 78 years (44‐88)

 

Number of males:

Group 1 (plain non‐adherent dressing): 13/30 (43%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 10/30 (33%)

 

ABPI: ABPI < 0.8 an exclusion criterion. No data reported by group

Unit of analysis: participant

Participant mobility: not reported

 

Baseline ulcer size ‐ median (range):

Group 1 (Plain non‐adherent dressing): 6.4 (1.1‐9.9)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 3.6 (0.9‐9.8)

Unit of measurement not stated, assume cm2

 

Baseline ulcer duration, unit of measurement not stated, assume months ‐ median (range):

Group 1 (plain non‐adherent dressing): 3 (1‐20)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 2 (1‐192)

 

Ulcer infection: not reported

Participant ulcer history: not reported

Participant baseline exudate levels: not reported

Interventions

Group 1: plain non‐adherent dressing (proprietary name not reported, Johnson and Johnson)

Group 2: alginate dressing (Tegagel, 3M)

Weekly cleaning and re‐dressing of ulcers unless excessive exudate or infection occurred, in which case dressing and bandage changes were more frequent

 

Description of compression therapy:

All participants fitted with a graduated compression bandaging system to produce and sustain 40 mmHg at the ankle (exact device not specified)

 

Length of treatment: 12 weeks

Follow‐up: 12 weeks

Outcomes

Review‐relevant outcomes reported:

Time to healing: reported, healing assessment method not described. Data analysis was by life table, with comparison between‐groups by the log rank method

Proportion of ulcers healed: reported

Change in ulcer size: not reported

Healing rate: not reported

Quality of life: not reported

Costs: not reported

Pain: not reported

Debridement: not reported

Haemostasis: not reported

Dressing performance – exudate handling: not reported

Dressing performance – adherence/sticking: not reported

Adverse events: not reported

Other outcomes assessed by the trial: none reported.

Notes

Sponsor: 3M Health Care Ltd (trial number not reported)

Number of participants withdrawing and reasons: trial authors did not report on participant withdrawal

Risk of bias

Bias

Authors' judgement

Support for judgement

Random sequence generation (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Quote: “Following assessment for arterial disease, patients were entered into the trial and randomised to either of the two dressing types.”

Comment: sequence generation method not reported

Allocation concealment (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Comment: allocation method not reported

Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes

Unclear risk

Comment: no statement regarding blinding of participants or study personnel

Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes

High risk

Quote: “One of the difficulties of running trials of this nature is that the person assessing efficacy cannot be ‘blind’ to the treatment that is being offered to the patient.”

Comment: trial authors described the methods used in the discussion, and indicated that outcome assessment was not blinded

Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes

Low risk

Quote: “Analysis based on 'intention to treat' is a standard method.”

Comment: trial authors described the methods used in the discussion, and indicated that ITT was undertaken

Selective reporting (reporting bias)

High risk

Quote: “Data analysis was by life table for time to healing, with comparison between‐groups by the log rank method.” 

Comment: trial authors described the methods used to assess time to healing, but no results data presented

Smith 1994

Methods

Design: open RCT

Country: UK

Setting: hospital dermatology department

Sample size calculation: not reported

Ethical approval: not reported

Informed consent: recruited consenting adults

Participants

Recruited 40 people from a hospital dermatology department

Inclusion criteria: people with a venous leg ulcer > 2.5 cm in diameter

Exclusion criteria: any condition that might affect wound healing (infection, immune deficiency, treatment with steroids, malignant disease), ulcer not clearly of venous origin, systemic treatment that might affect ulcer healing (fibrinolytic or anticoagulant therapy), or if other treatment was deemed better

 

Numbers randomised:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 22 participants

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 18 participants

 

Baseline participant age, % male, and mobility:

The trial authors reported that there were no statistically significant differences at baseline in participants in terms of sex, age or mobility. No data were reported

 

ABPI: not reported

Unit of analysis: participant

 

Baseline ulcer area cm2 ‐ mean:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 22.17

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 12.74

 

Baseline ulcer size, ulcer duration, and participant ulcer history: not reported

Baseline ulcer infection: presence of infection was an exclusion criterion

 

Mean ulcer pain score at baseline (during previous 2weeks, lower score better):

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 4.74

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 4.86

 

Participant baseline exudate levels: not reported

Comments: trial authors commented that the mean ulcer size at enrolment was considerably larger in Group 1

Interventions

Group 1: hydrocolloid dressing: (Improved Formulation Granuflex, ConvaTec)

Group 2: alginate dressing (type and manufacturer not reported)

Wounds cleaned with physiological saline and dressings applied according to manufacturers' instructions. Participants re‐attended dermatology clinic for ulcer dressing whenever necessary.

 

Description of compression therapy:

Compression bandaging applied to each participant, but details of type not reported.

 

Length of treatment: 6 weeks

Follow‐up: trial dressing continued for 6 weeks, or until the ulcer healed

Outcomes

Review relevant outcomes reported:

 

Time to healing: not reported

Proportion of ulcers healed: reported, an acetate tracing of the ulcer made on the first and last day of the trial, and the ulcer area calculated using an image analyser

Change in ulcer size: reported

Healing rate: not reported

Quality of life: reported, assessed over the previous 2 weeks at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6 on a 5‐point scale (deteriorated markedly, deteriorated somewhat, no change, improved somewhat or improved markedly). Name of scale not provided and no mention of using a validated instrument to assess health‐related quality of life

Costs: reported, completed a costing sheet, listing all materials used, at each dressing change. Nursing time not included and price year/tariff not provided. Frequency of dressing changes assessed as the mean number of changes over 2 weeks Assessment of wear time mentioned, but no details of assessment provided

Pain: reported, pain was assessed over the previous 2 weeks at weeks 2, 4, and 6 using a 10‐point visual analogue scale (0 = no pain to 10 = worse pain). Pain that disturbed sleep assessed (as: often, sometimes, rarely) and also pain at dressing change (10‐point VAS as before)

Debridement: not reported

Haemostasis: not reported.

Dressing performance – exudate handling: reported, the ability of dressings to contain exudate rated on a 6‐point scale (excellent, very good, good, fair, poor or awful)

Dressing performance – adherence/sticking: reported, ease of removal assessed on a 6‐point scale (excellent, very good, good, fair, poor, awful).

Adverse events: reported, all adverse events recorded, including severe pain and suspected infection of the ulcer

 

Other outcomes assessed by the trial: convenience of dressing changes; participant comfort; ease of application

Notes

Sponsor: ConvaTec Ltd (trial number not reported)

 

Number of participants withdrawing and reasons:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 6/22 (27%) ‐ pain, 1; ulcer infection, 1; possible allergy, 1; dressing leakage, 1; misdiagnosis, 1; participant default, 1

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 6/18 (33%) ‐ pain, 4; ulcer infection, 2

Note: pain, ulcer infection and possible allergy classified by trial authors as adverse events

Risk of bias

Bias

Authors' judgement

Support for judgement

Random sequence generation (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Quote: “Eligible patients were allocated randomly to treatment with either the alginate or Granuflex.”

Comment: sequence generation method not reported

Allocation concealment (selection bias)

Unclear risk

Comment: allocation method not reported

Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes

Unclear risk

Quote: “It was an open, randomised, parallel group trial . . . "

Comment: no statement regarding blinding of participants or study personnel

Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes

Unclear risk

Quote: “It was an open, randomised, parallel group trial . . . ”

Comment: no statement regarding blinded outcome assessment

Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes

High risk

Quote: “Statistical analysis was carried out on results from patients who completed the trial . . . "

Quote: “Twelve patients were withdrawn before completion, six on the alginate and six on Granuflex . . . ”

Comment: the analysis did not include all randomised participants

Selective reporting (reporting bias)

High risk

Comment: mean number of dressing changes assessed over 2‐week periods, but was not reported as such (e.g. "one or two alginate dressings"). Did not report all outcome categories for quality of life assessment, or data for outcomes of exudate handling and ease of dressing removal

Trial protocol not available (email communication with trial sponsor)

Abbreviations

> = greater than
< = less than
≤ = less than or equal to
ITT = intention‐to‐treat analysis
RCT = randomised controlled trial
VAS = visual analogue scale

Characteristics of excluded studies [ordered by study ID]

Study

Reason for exclusion

Anonoymous 1997

Not an RCT (review article translated from German).

Barnett 1987

Animal study.

Bull 1996

Alginate dressing not the only systematic difference across treatment arms (different compression systems used at different participating centres).

Capillas Pérez 2000

Compared moist dressings (a mix of hydrocolloids, hydrogels, and alginates) with traditional dressings. Results not available separately for participants receiving alginate dressings. Information confirmed with author (RCT report published in Spanish).

Chaloner 1992

Did not report sufficient information to be judged as eligible for inclusion in this review. Unable to obtain the necessary information to make a judgement (no response to email to sent trial author).

de la Brassinne 2006

Not treatment of interest (topical agents not alginate dressings).

Dmochowska 1999

Alginate dressing not the only systematic difference across treatment groups (alginate group only received secondary absorbant dressing).

Kammerlander 2000

Did not report sufficient information to be judged as eligible for inclusion in this review. Unable to obtain the necessary information to make a judgement (no response to email to sent trial author).

Kordestani 2008

Not an RCT (participants allocated to groups on an alternating basis).

Límová 2002

Not treatment of interest (comparison of hydrocolloid dressings).

Moody 1991

Not an RCT (single‐arm trial of alginate dressings in pressure ulcers and non‐healing burns).

Mulder 1995

Abstract with limited information.  Full RCT report no longer available (email communication with trial author).

Petres 1994

Abstract with limited information.  Full RCT report no longer available (email communication with trial sponsor).

Romanelli 2008

Not treatment of interest (protease‐modulating matrix dressing).

Romero‐Cerecero 2012

Not treatment of interest (antifungal agent).

Schulze 2001

Alginate dressing not the only systematic difference across treatment arms (alginate group only received secondary film dressing that was changed to a sterile swab dressing for 50% of the group half‐way through the trial).

Scurr 1994

Alginate dressing not the only systematic difference across treatment arms (different secondary dressings used in each treatment group).

Sibbald 2005

Not treatment of interest (freeze‐dried alginate not dressings).

Stacey 1997

Alginate dressing not the only systematic difference across treatment arms (different compression systems used in each treatment group).

Thomas 1989

Not an RCT (participants allocated to groups on alternating basis).

Wild 2010

Not treatment of interest (hydrocolloid dressing).

Data and analyses

Open in table viewer
Comparison 1. Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

20

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

6.0 [0.32, 111.04]

Analysis 1.1

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 weeks.

2 Score for comfort of dressing during wear time at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

19

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.90 [‐1.29, ‐0.51]

Analysis 1.2

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 2 Score for comfort of dressing during wear time at 6 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 2 Score for comfort of dressing during wear time at 6 weeks.

3 Score for comfort during dressing removal at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

19

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.7 [‐0.88, ‐0.52]

Analysis 1.3

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 3 Score for comfort during dressing removal at 6 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 3 Score for comfort during dressing removal at 6 weeks.

4 Exudate absorption score at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

19

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.80 [‐1.22, ‐0.38]

Analysis 1.4

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 4 Exudate absorption score at 6 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 4 Exudate absorption score at 6 weeks.

5 Ease of dressing removal score at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

19

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.90 [‐1.28, ‐0.52]

Analysis 1.5

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 5 Ease of dressing removal score at 6 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 5 Ease of dressing removal score at 6 weeks.

Open in table viewer
Comparison 2. Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 and 12 weeks Show forest plot

3

215

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.79 [0.48, 1.31]

Analysis 2.1

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 and 12 weeks.

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 and 12 weeks.

1.1 Healed at 6 weeks

2

84

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.42 [0.14, 1.21]

1.2 Healed at 12 weeks

1

131

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.02 [0.57, 1.81]

2 Change in ulcer area in mm2 at 12 weeks Show forest plot

1

131

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐169.56 [‐613.61, 274.49]

Analysis 2.2

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 2 Change in ulcer area in mm2 at 12 weeks.

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 2 Change in ulcer area in mm2 at 12 weeks.

3 Percentage change in ulcer area at 12 weeks Show forest plot

1

131

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐7.64 [‐37.88, 22.60]

Analysis 2.3

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 3 Percentage change in ulcer area at 12 weeks.

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 3 Percentage change in ulcer area at 12 weeks.

4 Mean wear time (days) Show forest plot

1

131

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.36 [‐0.29, 1.02]

Analysis 2.4

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 4 Mean wear time (days).

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 4 Mean wear time (days).

5 Proportion of participants experiencing adverse events Show forest plot

1

40

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.47 [0.53, 4.03]

Analysis 2.5

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 5 Proportion of participants experiencing adverse events.

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 5 Proportion of participants experiencing adverse events.

Open in table viewer
Comparison 3. Plain non‐adherent dressings compared with alginate dressings

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 12 weeks Show forest plot

1

60

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.08 [0.86, 1.36]

Analysis 3.1

Comparison 3 Plain non‐adherent dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 12 weeks.

Comparison 3 Plain non‐adherent dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 12 weeks.

Flow diagram of the trial selection process.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 1

Flow diagram of the trial selection process.

Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included trials.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 2

Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included trials.

Risk of bias summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included trial.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 3

Risk of bias summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included trial.

Forest plot of comparison: 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, outcome: 2.1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 and 12 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 4

Forest plot of comparison: 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, outcome: 2.1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 and 12 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.1

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 2 Score for comfort of dressing during wear time at 6 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.2

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 2 Score for comfort of dressing during wear time at 6 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 3 Score for comfort during dressing removal at 6 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.3

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 3 Score for comfort during dressing removal at 6 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 4 Exudate absorption score at 6 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.4

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 4 Exudate absorption score at 6 weeks.

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 5 Ease of dressing removal score at 6 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.5

Comparison 1 Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing, Outcome 5 Ease of dressing removal score at 6 weeks.

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 and 12 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.1

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 and 12 weeks.

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 2 Change in ulcer area in mm2 at 12 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.2

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 2 Change in ulcer area in mm2 at 12 weeks.

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 3 Percentage change in ulcer area at 12 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.3

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 3 Percentage change in ulcer area at 12 weeks.

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 4 Mean wear time (days).
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.4

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 4 Mean wear time (days).

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 5 Proportion of participants experiencing adverse events.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.5

Comparison 2 Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 5 Proportion of participants experiencing adverse events.

Comparison 3 Plain non‐adherent dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 12 weeks.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.1

Comparison 3 Plain non‐adherent dressings compared with alginate dressings, Outcome 1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 12 weeks.

Summary of findings for the main comparison. Alginate dressing (Sorbsan®) compared to alternative alginate dressing (Tegagen™ High Gelling) for venous leg ulceration

alginate dressing (Sorbsan®) compared to alternative alginate dressing (Tegagen ™ High Gelling) for venous leg ulceration

Patient or population: people with venous leg ulceration
Settings: outpatient clinics
Intervention: Alginate dressing (Sorbsan®)
Comparison: alternative alginate dressing (Tegagen ™ High Gelling)

Outcomes

Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI)

Relative effect
(95% CI)

No of Participants
(studies)

Quality of the evidence
(GRADE)

Comments

Assumed risk

Corresponding risk

Alternative alginate dressing (Tegagen ™High Gelling)

Alginate dressing (Sorbsan®)

Time to healing

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

Outcome not reported.

Proportion of participants with healed ulcers
Follow‐up: 6 weeks

Study population1

RR 6.00
(0.32 to 111.04)

20
(1 study)

⊕⊝⊝⊝
very low2,3,4,5

Low1

91 per 1000

546 per 1000
(29 to 1000)

High1

204 per 1000

1000 per 1000
(65 to 1000)

Mean change in wound size, with adjustment for baseline size

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

Outcome not reported (only reported mean percentage change in ulcer area, with no variance estimate, and no adjustment for baseline area).

Adverse effects

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

Limited information provided.

Health‐related quality of life

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

Outcome not reported.

*The basis for the assumed risk (e.g. the median control group risk across studies) is provided in footnotes. The corresponding risk (and its 95% confidence interval) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI).
CI: Confidence interval; RR: Risk ratio;

GRADE Working Group grades of evidence
High quality: Further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect.
Moderate quality: Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate.
Low quality: Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate.
Very low quality: We are very uncertain about the estimate.

1 Note: lower risk of the outcome is less favourable (i.e. lower risk of healing) than higher risk. Estimates for baseline low and high risks of healing at 30 days have been taken from a meta‐analysis of RCTs evaluating different types of compression. The low risk estimate is based on a subset of participants with larger baseline ulcer area (greater than 5 cm squared). The high risk estimate is based on a subset of participants with smaller baseline ulcer surface area (5 cm squared or smaller). Most participants received a simple, low‐adherent dressing plus four‐layer bandage (O'Meara 2007). Estimate of baseline risk could not be estimated from study population because no participants healed in the Tegagen ™ HG group.
2 Overall risk of bias was unclear.
3 Risk ratio estimate based on single RCT; unable to assess heterogeneity.
4 Risk ratio estimate based on single very small RCT (N = 20).
5 Risk ratio estimate based on single RCT; unable to formally assess presence of publication bias.

Figuras y tablas -
Summary of findings for the main comparison. Alginate dressing (Sorbsan®) compared to alternative alginate dressing (Tegagen™ High Gelling) for venous leg ulceration
Summary of findings 2. Alginate dressing compared to hydrocolloid dressing for venous leg ulceration

alginate dressing compared to hydrocolloid dressing for venous leg ulceration

Patient or population: people with venous leg ulceration
Settings: outpatient clinics or community
Intervention: Alginate dressing
Comparison: hydrocolloid dressing

Outcomes

Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI)

Relative effect
(95% CI)

No of Participants
(studies)

Quality of the evidence
(GRADE)

Comments

Assumed risk

Corresponding risk

Hydrocolloid dressing

Alginate dressing

Time to healing

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

One RCT presented time to healing, but did not report a reliable estimate (not based on censored data).

Proportion of participants with healed ulcers at 6 weeks
Follow‐up: 6 weeks

Study population1

RR 0.42
(0.14 to 1.21)

84
(2 studies)

⊕⊝⊝⊝
very low2,3,4

233 per 1000

98 per 1000
(33 to 281)

Low1

91 per 1000

38 per 1000
(13 to 110)

High1

204 per 1000

86 per 1000
(29 to 247)

Proportion of participants with healed ulcers at 12 weeks
Follow‐up: 12 weeks

Study population

RR 1.02
(0.57 to 1.81)

131
(1 study)

⊕⊝⊝⊝
very low5,6,7,8

258 per 1000

263 per 1000
(147 to 466)

Low

311 per 1000

317 per 1000
(177 to 563)

High

696 per 1000

710 per 1000
(397 to 1000)

Mean change in wound size, with adjustment for baseline size

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

Three RCTs reported change in wound area, but not with baseline adjustment.

Proportion of participants experiencing adverse effects at 6 weeks
Follow‐up: 6 weeks

227 per 1000

334 per 1000
(120 to 916)

RR 1.47
(0.53 to 4.03)9

40
(1 study)

⊕⊝⊝⊝
very low10,11,12,13

Health‐related quality of life

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

One RCT assessed health‐related quality of life but did not use a validated tool, and only reported percentages of participants who had improved.

*The basis for the assumed risk (e.g. the median control group risk across studies) is provided in footnotes. The corresponding risk (and its 95% confidence interval) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI).
CI: Confidence interval; RR: Risk ratio;

GRADE Working Group grades of evidence
High quality: Further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect.
Moderate quality: Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate.
Low quality: Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate.
Very low quality: We are very uncertain about the estimate.

1 Note: lower risk of the outcome is less favourable (i.e. lower risk of healing) than higher risk. Estimates for baseline low and high risks of healing at 30 days (and 90 days for the 12 week outcome) have been taken from a meta‐analysis of RCTs evaluating different types of compression. The low risk estimate is based on a subset of participants with larger baseline ulcer area (greater than 5 cm squared). The high risk estimate is based on a subset of participants with smaller baseline ulcer surface area (5 cm squared or smaller). Most participants received a simple, low‐adherent dressing plus four‐layer bandage (O'Meara 2007).
2 One RCT had overall unclear risk of bias and one had overall high risk of bias.
3 Underpowered comparison (N = 84).
4 Risk ratio estimate based on 2 RCTs; not possible to assess publication bias.
5 RCT had overall unclear risk of bias.
6 Risk ratio estimate based on single RCT; not possible to assess heterogeneity.
7 Underpowered comparison (N = 131).
8 Risk ratio estimate based on single RCT; not possible to assess publication bias.
9 Baseline event rate is taken from the control group in the RCT.
10 Estimate based on single RCT with overall high risk of bias.
11 Risk ratio estimate based on single RCT; not possible to assess heterogeneity.
12 Underpowered comparison (N = 40).
13 Risk ratio estimate based on single RCT; not possible to assess publication bias.

Figuras y tablas -
Summary of findings 2. Alginate dressing compared to hydrocolloid dressing for venous leg ulceration
Summary of findings 3. Alginate dressing compared to plain non‐adherent dressing for venous leg ulceration

alginate dressing compared to plain non‐adherent dressing for venous leg ulceration

Patient or population: people with venous leg ulceration
Settings: community
Intervention: Alginate dressing
Comparison: plain non‐adherent dressing

Outcomes

Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI)

Relative effect
(95% CI)

No of Participants
(studies)

Quality of the evidence
(GRADE)

Comments

Assumed risk

Corresponding risk

Plain non‐adherent dressing

Alginate dressing

Time to healing

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

Assessment of time to healing mentioned in RCT report, but estimates not provided.

Proportion of participants with healed ulcers
Follow‐up: 12 weeks

Study population1

RR 1.08
(0.86 to 1.36)

60
(1 study)

⊕⊝⊝⊝
very low2,3,4,5

800 per 1000

864 per 1000
(688 to 1000)

Low1

311 per 1000

336 per 1000
(267 to 423)

High1

696 per 1000

752 per 1000
(599 to 947)

Mean change in wound size, with adjustment for baseline size

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

Outcome not reported.

Adverse effects

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

Outcome not reported.

Health‐related quality of life

See comment

See comment

Not estimable

0
(0)

See comment

Outcome not reported.

*The basis for the assumed risk (e.g. the median control group risk across studies) is provided in footnotes. The corresponding risk (and its 95% confidence interval) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI).
CI: Confidence interval; RR: Risk ratio;

GRADE Working Group grades of evidence
High quality: Further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect.
Moderate quality: Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate.
Low quality: Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate.
Very low quality: We are very uncertain about the estimate.

1 Note: lower risk of the outcome is less favourable (i.e. lower risk of healing) than higher risk. Estimates for baseline low and high risks of healing at 90 days have been taken from a meta‐analysis of compression RCTs. The low risk estimate is based on a subset of participants with larger baseline ulcer surface area (greater than 5 cm squared). The high risk estimate is based on a subset of participants with smaller baseline ulcer surface area (5 cm squared or smaller). Most participants received a simple, low‐adherent dressing plus four‐layer bandage (O'Meara 2007).
2 RCT was at overall high risk of bias.
3 Risk ratio estimate based on single RCT; not possible to assess heterogeneity.
4 Underpowered comparison (N = 60).
5 Risk ratio estimate based on single RCT; not possible to assess publication bias.

Figuras y tablas -
Summary of findings 3. Alginate dressing compared to plain non‐adherent dressing for venous leg ulceration
Table 1. Outcome data reported by included trials: primary (healing) outcomes

Armstrong 1997

Number of ulcers healed at 6 weeks:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  6/21 (29%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  2/23 (9%)

P value for between‐group difference not reported. 

Change in ulcer size – median change in area:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  ‐205 mm2

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  ‐162 mm2

The trial authors reported that the between‐group difference was not statistically significant. P value not reported. 

Change in ulcer size – median percentage change in ulcer area:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  ‐42%

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  ‐26%

The trial authors reported that the between‐group difference was not statistically significant. P value not reported. Review authors' comment: there was a reporting discrepancy between primary and secondary references for this outcome. The respective values in the secondary reference were ‐30.5% and ‐28.1%.

Harding 2001

Time to healing days ‐ mean (SD) [median (range)] (analysis based on healed participants only):

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  41.823 days (SD 21.302) [42 (14 to 87)]; n = 17

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  56.588 days (SD 21.569) [56 (14 to 85)]; n = 17

Reported P value for between‐group difference in means = 0.053

P = 0.05 (log rank test) for difference in Kaplan‐Meier survival curves (analysis based on all randomised patients) 

Number of ulcers healed at 12 weeks:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 17/66 (26%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 17/65 (26%)

P value for between‐group difference not reported 

Change in ulcer area mm2 ‐ mean (SD) [median (range)]:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  ‐516.86 mm2 (SD 1202.72) [‐301.13 (‐2494.84 to 5285.82)]; n = 66

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  ‐347.30 mm2 (SD 1382.69) [‐132.83 (‐5144.08 to 5946.24)]; n = 65

P value for between‐group difference in means P = 0.48, reported by trial authors.

Percentage change in ulcer area – mean (SD) [median (range)]:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  ‐38.18% (SD 92.36) [‐67.67 (374.84 to ‐100.00)]; n = 66

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  ‐30.54% (SD 84.08) [‐43.33 (411.74 to ‐100.00)]; n = 65

P value for between‐group difference in means = 0.64, reported by trial authors

Límová 2003

Number of ulcers healed at 6 weeks:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 0/11 (0%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 2/9 (22%)

P value for between‐group difference not reported.

Mean percentage change in wound area at 6 weeks:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG):  ‐33.7%, n = 10

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®):  ‐29.6%, n = 9

The trial authors reported a P value of 0.88 for between‐group difference

Moffatt 1992

Time to healing/number of ulcers healed at 12 weeks:

Group 1 (plain non‐adherent dressing): 24/30 (80%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 26/30 (87%)

P value for between‐group difference not reported

The trial authors reported that results were similar for cumulative proportions healed estimated using life table analysis (no data or P value for between‐group difference presented)

Smith 1994

Number of ulcers healed at 6 weeks:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 4/22 (18%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 2/18 (11%)

P value for between‐group difference not reported 

Mean percentage change in ulcer area:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  ‐57.1

Group 2 (alginate dressing): ‐34.9

The trial authors reported that the between‐group difference was not statistically different. P value not reported

Figuras y tablas -
Table 1. Outcome data reported by included trials: primary (healing) outcomes
Table 2. Outcome data reported by included trials ‐ secondary outcomes

Armstrong 1997

Mean wear time days:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  4.112 days

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  3.051 days

The trial authors reported a between‐group difference of 1.029 days (95% CI 0.385 to 1.672), and that the difference was statistically significant in favour of Group 1 but the P value was not reported. Reviewer authors' comment: the difference in means reported by the trial authors does not follow from the mean values for each group 

Number participants achieving a 7‐day wear time on at least one occasion:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  9/21 (43%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  3/23 (13%)

The trial authors reported that the between‐group difference (30%, 95% CI 5% to 55%) was statistically significant but P value not reported 

Cost to heal one ulcer:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  GBP 237.66 (total direct and indirect costs = GBP 1425.97 for total of 6 wounds healed)

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  GBP 687.31 (total direct and indirect costs = GBP 1374.61 for total of 2 wounds healed)

Cost per wound healed calculated by review authors.

Taking into account the number of participants completely healed in each group, the trial authors reported that the cost to achieve a healed wound using the Group 1 dressing was approximately one‐third of the cost of Group 2. 

Number dressing changes with no pain, mild pain, moderate pain, severe pain, excruciating pain, unable to respond, missing data:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  (total of 192 dressing changes) 144 (75%), 38 (20%), 6 (3%), 2 (1%), 0 (0%), 0 (0%), 2 (1%)

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  (total of 224 dressing changes) 186 (83%), 29 (13%), 8 (3.5%), 0 (0%), 0 (0)%, 0 (0%), 1 (0.5%) 

Number of adverse events during the trial:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 32 adverse events reported during the trial. 4 were related to the primary dressing and 28 to the secondary dressing, of which 8 were attributed to maceration.

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 32 adverse events reported during the trial. 3 were related to the primary dressing and 29 to the secondary dressing, of which 9 were attributed to maceration.

Harding 2001

Total number of dressing changes:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 1093

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 1186

Mean wear time days (SD) [median (range)]:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  3.632 days (1.878) [3 (1 to 13)]; n = 66

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  3.271 days (1.944) [3 (1 to 9)]; n = 65

The trial authors reported that the between‐group difference in means was P value < 0.001

Mean number of dressing changes per healed ulcer:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  7.4

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  12.1

P value for between‐group difference not reported

Mean cost to achieve ulcer healing (based on patients healed):

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  GBP 1184.09 (USD 1699.71)

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  GBP 1200.73 (USD 1723.59)

Mean cost per 1cm2 reduction in ulcer size (all patients randomised):

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  GBP 59.22 (USD 85.01)

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  GBP 92.27 (USD 132.46)

Mean cost per 10% reduction in ulcer area:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  GBP 80.15 (USD 115.06)

Group 2 (alginate dressing):  GBP 104.92 (USD 150.62)

Percentage of dressing changes associated with no pain:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 82%

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 62%

The trial authors reported that the between‐group difference was statistically significant ( P value < 0.001). Numbers of dressings not reported 

Dressing performance – percentage recording “excellent” for overall ability to contain exudate:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 44%

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 20%

Unclear whether denominator was the number of participants or the number of dressing changes.

Reported P value for between‐group difference = 0.002 

Dressing performance – percentage recording “excellent” for overall ease of dressing removal:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 51%

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 24%

Unclear whether denominator was the number of participants or the number of dressing changes.

Reported P value for between‐group difference = 0.006

 Percentage of dressing changes with some adhesion to the wound bed:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 38%

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 74%

The trial authors reported that the between‐group difference was statistically significant (P value < 0.001)

Number of dressing changes not reported

Review authors' comments: there were some minor discrepancies between numbers in main text and tables for cost information (data from main text were recorded here); discrepancies between primary and secondary references for outcomes of ease of removal and exudate handling (data from primary reference recorded here); unclear whether reported outcomes relating to pain at dressing change, exudate handling, ease of dressing removal and adhesion were rated by participants or investigators (or both).

Límová 2003

Total number of dressing changes over the course of the trial:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 69 (65 scheduled and 4 unscheduled)

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 61 (60 scheduled and 1 unscheduled) 

Mean (SD) comfort score during wear over number of visits:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 1.2 (SD 0.35) over 55 visits; n = 10

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 2.1 (SD 0.50) over 51 visits; n = 9

The trial authors reported a P value of 0.0005 for the between‐group difference 

Mean (SD) comfort score during dressing removal over number of visits:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 1.2 (SD 0.22) over 55 visits; n = 10

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 1.9 (SD 0.19) over 51 visits; n = 9

The trial authors reported a P value of 0.003 for the between‐group difference 

Percentage of visits where necrotic tissue was observed:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 59.7% of 55 visits; n = 10

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 68.9% of 51 visits; n = 9

The trial authors reported a P value of 0.57 for the between‐group difference 

Percentage of visits where debridement was required:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 18.7% of 55 visits; n = 10

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 40.7% of 51 visits; n = 9

The trial authors reported a P value of 0.18 for the between‐group difference 

Mean improvement in amount of necrotic tissue (lower score is better):

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 2.5 over 55 visits; n = 10

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 1.5 over 51 visits; n = 9

The trial authors reported a P value of 0.38 for the between‐group difference 

Mean (SD) exudate absorption score over number of visits (lower score better):

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 1.3 (SD 0.45) over 55 visits; n = 10

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 2.1 (SD 0.48) over 51 visits; n = 9

The trial authors reported a P value of 0.002 for the between‐group difference 

Percentage of clinic visits with medium or large amount of exudate observed:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG):  71.7% of 55 visits; n = 10

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®):  86.3% of 51 visits; n = 9

The trial authors reported a P value of 0.25 for the between‐group difference 

Mean (SD) ease of removal score over number of visits (lower is better):

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 1.1 (SD 0.16) over 55 visits; n = 10

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 2.0 (SD 0.56) over 51 visits; n = 9

The trial authors reported a P value of 0.002 for the between‐group difference 

Proportion of participants reporting dressing adherence to the wound bed:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 0%

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 27.8%

The trial authors reported that the average percentage of dressing changes with adherence to the wound bed was significantly less in Group 1 (P value < 0.05).

Percentage of clinic visits with observation of peri‐wound skin as macerated, denuded, requiring medication:

Group 1 (alginate dressing, Tegagen ™ HG): 36.0%, 9.0%, 31.3%

Group 2 (alginate dressing, Sorbsan®): 54.4%, 31.9%, 65.2%

Reported P values for between‐group difference: macerated skin P value 0.30; denuded skin P value 0.04, medication required P value 0.07

Moffatt 1992

None reported

Smith 1994

Proportion of participants “improved remarkably” in quality of life at week 6:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 42.9%

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 40.0%

The trial authors did not report the number of participants completing the quality of life assessment. P value for between‐group difference not reported. There was a reporting discrepancy between “improved remarkably” and the pre‐defined categories for this outcome (deteriorated markedly, deteriorated somewhat, no change, improved somewhat or improved markedly)

Number of dressings used per week:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 1‐3

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 1‐2

Wear time:

The trial authors reported that both dressings were equivalent in terms of wear time, but no data by group or P value for between‐group difference were reported.

Mean total approximate cost of materials:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): GBP 431.73

Group 2 (alginate dressing): GBP 364.08

P value for between‐group difference not reported 

Mean ulcer pain score over past 2 weeks at 6 weeks:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 1.46

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 2.15

The trial authors reported that the between‐group difference was not statistically significant. P value not reported 

Change from baseline in mean ulcer pain score over past 2 weeks at 6 weeks:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): ‐3.28

Group 2 (alginate dressing): ‐2.71

Estimated by review authors 

Mean pain score at dressing change at week 6:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  1.73

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 2.16

P value for between‐group difference not reported 

Change from baseline in mean pain score at dressing change at 6 weeks:

Not reported and reviewer unable to estimate as data at week 6 only reported (no baseline) 

Proportion of participants reporting no sleep disturbance due to pain at week 2 and week 6:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing):  31.25%, 78.6%

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 8.8%, 40.0%

The trial authors did not report whether the proportions were for all participants enrolled or only those completing the trial. Reported P value for between‐group difference = 0.0721, but unclear to which time point this refers or if it is for the test across time points 

Dressing performance (exudate handling):

The trial authors reported that the Group 2 dressing was “slightly superior” in terms of ability to contain exudate. However,  no data by group or P value for between‐group difference were reported 

Proportion of participants reporting ‘excellent’ for ease of dressing removal:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 56.3%

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 8.3%

The trial authors did not report raw numbers and the denominator was not clear. Reported P value for between‐group difference was < 0.001. The trial authors reported that the Group 2 dressing often needed to be soaked off the ulcer. 

Number participants experiencing adverse events:

Group 1 (hydrocolloid dressing): 5/22 (23%) (withdrawals: pain, 1; ulcer infection, 1; possible allergy, 1; not thought to warrant withdrawal ‐ wound infection, 1; pain and erythema at the final visit, 1)

Group 2 (alginate dressing): 6/18 (33%) (withdrawals: pain, 4; ulcer infection, 2) 

Figuras y tablas -
Table 2. Outcome data reported by included trials ‐ secondary outcomes
Comparison 1. Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

20

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

6.0 [0.32, 111.04]

2 Score for comfort of dressing during wear time at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

19

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.90 [‐1.29, ‐0.51]

3 Score for comfort during dressing removal at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

19

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.7 [‐0.88, ‐0.52]

4 Exudate absorption score at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

19

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.80 [‐1.22, ‐0.38]

5 Ease of dressing removal score at 6 weeks Show forest plot

1

19

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.90 [‐1.28, ‐0.52]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 1. Tegagen HG alginate dressing compared with Sorbsan alginate dressing
Comparison 2. Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 6 and 12 weeks Show forest plot

3

215

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.79 [0.48, 1.31]

1.1 Healed at 6 weeks

2

84

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.42 [0.14, 1.21]

1.2 Healed at 12 weeks

1

131

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.02 [0.57, 1.81]

2 Change in ulcer area in mm2 at 12 weeks Show forest plot

1

131

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐169.56 [‐613.61, 274.49]

3 Percentage change in ulcer area at 12 weeks Show forest plot

1

131

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐7.64 [‐37.88, 22.60]

4 Mean wear time (days) Show forest plot

1

131

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.36 [‐0.29, 1.02]

5 Proportion of participants experiencing adverse events Show forest plot

1

40

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.47 [0.53, 4.03]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 2. Hydrocolloid dressings compared with alginate dressings
Comparison 3. Plain non‐adherent dressings compared with alginate dressings

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Proportion of ulcers healed at 12 weeks Show forest plot

1

60

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.08 [0.86, 1.36]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 3. Plain non‐adherent dressings compared with alginate dressings