Abstract
Appropriate assessment of pressure ulcers（PUs）is essential for timely and effective management. For this purpose, a non-invasive protein analysis technique, wound blotting, was developed which helps to visualize the distribution of protein secretion. In this pilot study, we evaluated whether detection of transforming growth factor （TGF）β at the wound edge by wound blotting could be used as a marker for predicting epithelialization. A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The inclusion criteria were（a）PUs from which exudate was collected through wound blotting and stained for TGFβ;（b）PUs with a depth score of d2 according to DESIGN-R at the time of wound blotting; and（c）PUs which were followed up after one week of wound blotting. Exclusion criterion was lack of photographs of the PU taken at the time of wound blotting and after one week. For protein collection, a piece of nitrocellulose membrane was attached to the wound surface. The membrane was stained for TGFβ, using immunological techniques. Epithelialization was evaluated from the PU photographs. Cases with and without epithelialization advancement were compared for positivity for TGF β at the wound edge, and the association between location of epithelialization and signal presence was assessed. Twenty-three samples were analyzed. Epithelialization was noted in 20 ulcers and 15 of 20 ulcers showed positive TGFβ signals. TGFβ signals at the wound edge corresponded with the location of epithelialization in nine of 15 ulcers. Hence, topological analysis of TGFβ by wound blotting could serve as a new assessment tool for predicting epithelialization.
