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Purpose: Infection, which is one of the possible complications of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), makes the treatment of ulcers challenging because of its negative impact on healing processes and the high prevalence of multiresistant germs. This study is aimed at verifying the effect of a surgical CO2 laser (which reduces the bacterial load and allows a more accurate debridement), as compared with the traditional lancets, on the healing rate of DFU. Methods: The present case-control retrospective analysis was performed on patients with chronic (>6 months) DFU with Texas grade >1, treated with 80 W surgical CO2 laser (DEKA SmartXide2 C80, El.En. Group) and compared with a matched sample of patients with similar characteristics, who were treated with a traditional surgical approach. The debridement was performed trying to achieve the complete removal of nonviable tissues. The principal endpoint was the proportion of patients healed at 6 months. All analyses were carried out with SPSS 25.0. The study protocol was approved by the local ethical committee. Results: This study included 118 patients (59 cases and 59 controls). At 6 months, the proportion of healing patients was 35% and 18% in cases and controls, respectively (P =.034). The corresponding figure at 1 year was 62% and 38% (P =.009), whereas no difference was observed at 1, 2, and 3 months. No serious adverse event was observed. Conclusions: In this article, we show for the first time that CO2 laser treatment, in comparison with traditional surgical approaches, can be associated with an increased healing rate in patients with DFU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The WHO recommends testing any suspected person with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), in order to limit the spread of the epidemic. In Italy, some Regions opted for extensive testing, whereas others limited tests to selected subjects. To assess the influence of different strategies, we examined the incidence of death and severe cases in Italy. Methods: Data on new cases of SARS‐CoV‐2, number of tests, deaths and admissions to Intensive Care Units (ICU) were retrieved in each Italian Region, from 24 February to 18 March 2020. As an index of different screening strategies, the number of tests/positive test results (P/T) ratio as of 7 March 2020, was considered. The cumulative number of deaths and of new severe cases, between March 23 and 25 was recorded. The association of those two outcomes with the number of P/T ratio was assessed using linear regression models. Results: In the interval between March 23 and 25, recorded deaths (*million inhabitants) were 14 (3‐54), whereas severe cases were 31 (10‐112). Both the number of deaths and that of severe cases showed a significant correlation (R2.57 and.41, with P <.01) with the P/T ratio. Deaths and severe cases were associated with higher mean personal income and lower density of General Practioners (GPs). The association of P/T with severe cases and deaths retained statistical significance after adjusting for mean personal income (R2.30 and.41, respectively; both P =.04) and GPs density (R2.21 and.19, respectively; both P =.03). Conclusions: A more aggressive screening strategy for SARS‐Cov‐2, was associated with lower rates of death and severe disease in Regions of Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Infection, which is one of the possible complications of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), makes the treatment of ulcers challenging because of its negative impact on healing processes and the high prevalence of multiresistant germs. This study is aimed at verifying the effect of a surgical CO 2 laser (which reduces the bacterial load and allows a more accurate debridement), as compared with the traditional lancets, on the healing rate of DFU., Methods: The present case-control retrospective analysis was performed on patients with chronic (>6 months) DFU with Texas grade >1, treated with 80 W surgical CO 2 laser (DEKA SmartXide2 C80, El.En. Group) and compared with a matched sample of patients with similar characteristics, who were treated with a traditional surgical approach. The debridement was performed trying to achieve the complete removal of nonviable tissues. The principal endpoint was the proportion of patients healed at 6 months. All analyses were carried out with SPSS 25.0. The study protocol was approved by the local ethical committee., Results: This study included 118 patients (59 cases and 59 controls). At 6 months, the proportion of healing patients was 35% and 18% in cases and controls, respectively ( P = .034). The corresponding figure at 1 year was 62% and 38% ( P = .009), whereas no difference was observed at 1, 2, and 3 months. No serious adverse event was observed., Conclusions: In this article, we show for the first time that CO 2 laser treatment, in comparison with traditional surgical approaches, can be associated with an increased healing rate in patients with DFU.