Efficiency of a hyperoxygenated fatty acid compound in the prevention of pressure ulcers
Torra i Bou J.-E., Segovia Gómez T., Verdú Soriano J., Nolasco Bonmatí A., Rueda López J., Arboix i Perejamo M.

SUMMARY

Objective: To compare the effects of Mepentol^®, a hyperoxygenated fatty acidpreparation, with a placebo treatment in preventing the development of pressureulcers.

Method: The research study consisted of a multicentre double-blindrandomised clinical trial. The incidence of pressure ulcers, relative risk (RR), preventable fraction and number necessary to treat (NNT) were calculated. Inaddition, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, with log-rank test, and Cox’s proportional hazards regression model were used to compare both groups.

Results: Atotal of 331 patients completed the study: 167 in the control group and 164in the study group. Pressure-ulcer incidence during the study was 7.32% inthe intervention group versus 17.37% in the placebo group (p= 0,006). Theseresults show that for each 10 patients treated with Mepentol^® one pressure ulcerwas prevented (NNT= 9,95). Survival curves and the regression model showeda significant statistical difference for both groups (p≤ 0,001). The averagecost of Mepentol^® during the study was € 7,74.

Conclusion: Mepentol^® is aneffective measure for pressure ulcer prevention. It was more effective than agreasy placebo product, and was found to be cost-effective.

Declaration ofinterest: This study was sponsored by Laboratorios Bama-Geve SA,Barcelona, Spain.

KEY WORDS

Decubitus ulcer, pressure sore, aged, literature review.

Vol. 16 nº4-2005