Aim. – Xerosis is one of the most common abnormalities observed in the diabetic foot, promoting ulceration through the development of fissures
and hyperkeratosis. Its treatment is therefore paramount and must be implemented early on. The objective of this studywas to assess the moisturizing
properties of Pédimed® cream in the treatment of foot xerosis in diabetic patients.
Methods. – In this randomized double-blind study, Pédimed® and its placebo were randomly allocated to the right/left foot of each patient (one
active/one control side). Products were applied twice daily for 4 weeks. Xerosis was assessed using the clinical Xerosis Assessment Scale (XAS),
corneometry (skin hydration measurement) and D-Squame® (scale sample analysis) after 14 (D14) and 28 (D28) days of treatment.
Results. – Twenty-four men and 30 women, aged 57.0±12.7 years, with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and moderate-to-severe foot xerosis were
included. A dramatic decrease in XAS score that was more marked with Pédimed® than with placebo was observed from D14 (38.1% vs 20.9%,
P < 0.0001), reaching 61.9% vs 34.9% at D28 (P < 0.0001). The number of feet with fissures was greatly reduced with Pédimed® compared with
placebo at both D14 (11.1% vs 22.2%, P = 0.031) and D28 (5.6% vs 18.5%, P = 0.039). Skin hydration increased by 48.9% with Pédimed® vs
31.7% with placebo at D14 (P = 0.0002), reaching 57.3% vs 36.5% at D28 (P < 0.0001). All D-Squame® parameters showed greater improvement
with Pédimed®. Product tolerability was excellent.
Conclusion. – Validated clinical and paraclinical tools demonstrated the efficacy of Pédimed® in improving xerosis and reducing fissures of the
feet in diabetic patients.