Chronic ischemic wounds can include diabetic ulcers, decubitus ulcers, and stasis dermatitis, which is a common inflammatory skin disease that occurs on the lower extremities of patients with chronic venous insufficiency with venous hypertension.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, approximately 16 million people in the United States are known to have diabetes, and millions more are considered at risk of developing the disease. Among patients with diabetes, 15 percent develop a foot ulcer, and 12 percent to 24 percent of individuals with a diabetic foot ulcer require amputation. Even when cured of a diabetic ulcer, the recurrence rate is 66 percent and often results in amputation.

Decubitus ulcers, often referred to as bed sores or pressure sores, occur at sites overlying bony structures that are prominent when a person is lying in a recumbent position. Often they occur on the scalp, back, buttocks, tailbone, hip heel or any other area to which pressure is applied while a person is lying down. According to the 1999 National Pressure Ulcer Prevalence Survey, intensive care units have the highest prevalence rates among different hospital settings. The survey also found pressure ulcer prevalence in long-term care facilities is an estimated 11 percent to 30 percent of patients.

Stasis dermatitis affects a significant portion of the elderly population. Studies have estimated the prevalence of stasis dermatitis affects 15 to 20 million people over age 50.

SOURCE Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. and Sarasota Medical Products, Inc.