Table 45Clinical evidence profile: low-air-loss bed versus low-air-loss overlay

Quality assessmentNo of patientsEffectQualityImportance
No of studiesDesignRisk of biasInconsistencyIndirectnessImprecisionOtherLow-air-loss bedLow-air-loss overlayRelative (95% CI)Absolute
Median change in ulcer area (cm2) – people in acute care, mean 24 day follow-up38
1Randomised trialVery seriousaNo serious inconsistencyNo serious indirectnessVery seriousbNone3.9 cm21.9 cm2p=0.060-Very lowCritical
Mean changes in pressure ulcer surface area– people in acute care, mean 24 day follow-up38
1Randomised trialVery seriousaNo serious inconsistencyNo serious indirectnessVery seriousbNone10.2 cm23.8 cm2--Very lowCritical
Proportion of people with pressure ulcers completely healed
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Time to complete healing of pressure ulcers
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Rate of change in size of ulcer
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Pain (wound-related)
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Time in hospital or NHS care
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Patient acceptability
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Side effects
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Mortality
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Health-related quality of life
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a

There was very little data provided (median change in area and range). It was unclear (and unlikely) that the outcome assessment was blind to treatment group. No description of co-interventions except skincare protocol applied to both groups; insufficient reporting of incomplete outcome data; high drop-out.

b

No data were available to analyse in Revman.

From: 6, Pressure redistributing devices

Cover of The Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers in Primary and Secondary Care
The Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers in Primary and Secondary Care.
NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 179.
National Clinical Guideline Centre (UK).
Copyright © National Clinical Guideline Centre, 2014.

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