Curative Health Services: Chronic Wounds More Difficult to Treat in Individuals With Poor Nutrition; Protein Deficiencies Impair Healing.

Business Editors, Health/Medical Writers

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 26, 2001

Scientists have known for centuries that poor nutrition adversely affects the body's ability to heal itself. But a recent monograph funded with a grant from Curative Health Services (Nasdaq:CURE) details a direct correlation between the percentage of lean body mass and the body's ability to heal chronic wounds. Curative Health Services, a leading disease management company in chronic wound care, manages 130 Wound Care Centers(R), which offer comprehensive wound treatment for patients with chronic or nonhealing wounds.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a condition that occurs due to inadequate intake of protein and energy. When the body lacks sufficient energy and protein stores, it cannot effectively heal wounds. This deficiency must be corrected in order to achieve wound healing and prevent other serious medical complications.

Robert H. Demling, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Mass., Laure Stasik, MS, RN, RD, CDE, and Allen J. Zagoren, DO, of Metropolitan Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, are co-authors of the monograph.

"Our studies have shown that there is a well-defined relationship between poor nutrition and impaired wound healing," said Dr. Allen Zagoren, who is also the medical director at the Wound Care Center of Iowa.

"PEM has been largely underrated and often ignored in wound care management because it occurs concurrently with other obstacles to wound healing. It must be addressed independently in order to treat chronic wounds more effectively," he said.

Because PEM is often misunderstood, ignored or unrecognized in many patients, it fosters the development of wounds and prevents the proper healing of those wounds, Zagoren added. PEM is more prevalent in adults 85 years of age and older, the fastest growing segment of the elderly population.

According to the monograph, the most common cause of PEM in the patients with wounds is the catabolic or stress response to injury. An injury increases energy demands and protein breakdown and severely disrupts the way nutrients are utilized by the body.

At greater risk of PEM are patients with diabetes, elderly or immobile patients, those with substance abuse problems and patients with acute injuries. Treatment of PEM for these populations varies, but all share the common need for improved nutrition.

"We strongly recommend that patients with PEM who suffer from significant chronic or nonhealing wounds consult with a dietician who can evaluate their nutritional needs," said Stasik, program director at the Mercy Wound Care Center in Scranton, Penn. "A dietician can determine a patient's energy (caloric), protein and micronutrient requirements."

The Wound Care Centers practice a care management philosophy when treating patients suffering from chronic wounds. Nutrition, wound prevention and education play key roles in all treatment plans. The process typically begins with a review of the patient's medical history, physical exams, wound assessments, diagnostic tests and vascular studies, from which a plan of care is developed.

Wound Care Center programs define a chronic nonhealing wound as one that has not demonstrated significant improvement after four weeks, or has not healed completely after eight weeks. Those most affected are people with diabetes, venous insufficiency and pressure ulcers. Wound Care Centers offer a comprehensive approach to the treatment of chronic wounds, including Curative's clinical pathway, a coordinated continuum of care, and patient education. For a complimentary copy of the monograph, "Protein Malnutrition and Wounds: Nutritional Intervention," call 1-800-966-5656, extension 2240, or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

Curative Health Services (www.curative.com) is a leading disease management company in chronic wound care. Curative provides a broad continuum of services to healthcare providers through a nationwide network. This national network of over 130 hospital-based Wound Care Centers in 33 states, has offered comprehensive treatment to over 300,000 patients, achieving a more than 90 percent patient satisfaction rate. Patients completing treatment have enjoyed a healing rate in excess of 80 percent.