Use of voltammetric analysis for fast and objective discrimination of the etiology, evolution, and bacterial infection of lower limb ulcers

The timely recognition of leg ulcers (LU) etiology and infection is pivotal to optimize management and accelerate healing. The objective of this proof-of-concept study was to test the diagnostic performance of voltammetric analysis (VA) on ulcer exudate to identify LU etiology, infection, and predict clinical course. We enrolled 25 patients aged 60years, affected by 42 venous/arterial LU. Clinical examination (Leg Ulcer Measurement Tool score, LUMT), swab culture, and VA were performed at baseline and 30days. The ability of VA to predict outcomes was tested using partial least square-discrimination analysis. Mean age was 75years (SD 11.1), 9/25 were male. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity vs. etiology were 97.4, 100%, and 94.1%, respectively; the corresponding figures were 95.2%, 100%, 88.9%, for infection and 94%, 84.6%, 100% for predicted objective LUMT worsening. VA is a promising diagnostic/prognostic tool for management of LU that may allow a more timely targeted therapy.