A prospective, randomized, controlled double-blind study of a moisturizer for xerosis of the feet in patients with diabetes.

Xerosis is frequently noted in the feet of people with diabetes. The presence of xerosis increases the risk of complications, including infection and ulceration, making it imperative to counteract its effects. A prospective, randomized, controlled double-blind study was conducted to compare the efficacy of a test moisturizer containing 10% urea and 4% lactic acid versus its emulsion base vehicle in the treatment of xerosis of the feet in patients with diabetes. Forty patients (mean age 62 +/- 11 years) with diabetes and moderate-to-severe xerosis of both feet were enrolled. Xerosis severity was assessed using a nine-point Xerosis Assessment Scale. The tested moisturizer was applied to one foot and the vehicle to the other, twice a day, for 4 weeks. The regression of xerosis also was evaluated 2 weeks following discontinuation of the treatments. Progress was noted weekly with photographs and examination. Feet treated with the vehicle cream (control) had an initial mean xerosis grading of 6.17 (+/- 0.79) and a final xerosis grading of 4.38 (+/- 2.20). In the treatment group, mean xerosis grading diminished from 6.13 (+/- 0.73) to 3.19 (+/- 2.23) after 4 weeks (P < 0.01). The difference between control and treatment remained statistically significant following discontinuation of cream application. In this study, regular use of a moisturizer was found to be beneficial in the treatment of moderate-to-severe xerosis of the feet in patients with diabetes. The cream containing 10% urea and 4% lactic acid provided faster and better improvement with significantly less xerosis regression.