ABSTRACT
Amulticenter, randomized, controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of MEBO [Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, UAE, and SanTou MEBO Pharmaceutical CO., LTD., China] in healing of chronic pressure ulcers. Eighty seven patients with 182 chronic pressure ulcers treated at six hospitals from different areas in world, between January 2003 and January 2009, were randomized into 2 groups; those in group 1 [n=46] received MEBO while those in group 2 [n=41] received Fucidin [Leo Pharmaceutical Denmark]. Data collected prospectively included demographics, nutritional status, underlying predisposing disease and co-morbidities, Ulcer surface area [SA] and healing index [HI] were calculated and compared at two-week intervals for 12 weeks. Patients in both groups had similar demographic, clinical, biochemical features, and ulcer characteristics. There was a significant increase in HI and reduction in ulcer SA on weeks two and four respectively, that was maintained through 12 weeks in patients treated with MEBO. More than half of ulcers [56.5%] treated with MEBO had complete healing [HI=1] by 12 weeks, as opposed to only 19.6% of those treated with Fucidin [P<0.00l]. Moreover, none of the patients receiving MEBO had a HI of<50% of their ulcers by 12 weeks as compared to 26.8% of those receiving Fucidin [P<0.00l]. No adverse effects or allergic reactions of topical ointment were encountered in either group. In addition to its safety, MEBO significantly promotes the healing of chronic pressure ulcers with significant increase in HI of any given ulcer as early as two weeks following initiation of treatment, and complete healing of more than 50% of ulcers by 12 weeks