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Pressure Ulcers
Author(s) -
FRANCIS GODSCHALK MICHAEL
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1415.049
Subject(s) - wound healing , thymosin , medicine , angiogenesis , stimulation , surgery
: Pressure ulcers occur in up to 14% of acute hospitalizations. They cause pain, decreased quality of life, increased morbidity, and prolonged hospitalizations. Treatment includes pain control, nutritional support, relieving pressure, removing devitalized tissue, and by using dressings and medications, providing an environment in which healing can occur. Even with optimal treatment, pressure ulcers may take months to heal. Thymosin β4 is being investigated as a treatment for pressure ulcers. Thymosin β4 has wound healing and anti‐inflammatory properties. It is thought to exert its therapeutic effect through promotion of keratinocyte and endothelial cell migration, increased collagen deposition, and stimulation of angiogenesis. A study in a rat full‐thickness wound model showed that treatment with thymosin β4 increased collagen deposition and angiogenesis and stimulated keratinocyte migration and reepithelialization. If thymosin β4 decreases healing time, this would represent a significant advance in the treatment of pressure ulcers.