A new bandage therapy, called scaffold, has been created to treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFT) that is less expensive while also providing better patient outcomes by researchers at Queen's University Belfast.

The scaffolds, which are created by 3D bioprinting, gradually release antibiotics over a period of four weeks to cure the wound. The Journal of Drug Delivery and Translational Research published the study.

Diabetes is counted among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. It is a lifelong condition that raises a person's blood sugar levels.

A devastating consequence of diabetes, diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) affect about 25 per cent of diabetic patients. More than 50 per cent of cases when discovered are already infected, and more than 70 per cent of them require lower limb amputation.

In order to effectively treat DFU, a complex treatment plan comprising several combined therapeutic approaches is required. As a result, treating DFU entails a severe clinical and financial burden. Amputation of the lower limbs is frequently required since these treatments are often unsuccessful.

This new study shows results that have significantly affected patients' quality of life and reduced the expense and clinical burden of treating DFU. Drug-loaded scaffolds have been the subject of recent research to cure DFU. The scaffold structure is a novel carrier for cells and medications that improves wound healing.

Lead author of the study, Ms Katie Glover, from the Queen's School of Pharmacy, concludes: "Using bioprinting technology, we have developed a scaffold with suitable mechanical properties to treat the wound, which can be easily modified to the size of the wound."

"This provides a low-cost alternative to current DFU treatments, which could revolutionise DFU treatment, improving patient outcomes while reducing the economic burden caused by rapidly increasing patient demand as the number of people with diabetes continues to increase every year," she added.