Skin Ulcer Treatment Market Experiences Growth, Despite Recession

Although many markets will be impacted by the current economic climate, the treatment of wounds is not one of them, according to Kalorama Information (New York, NY, USA), a healthcare market research firm.

The wound care market is varied in terms of both product offerings and product maturity, according to the report. Several of the segments within the worldwide skin treatment market are mature such as anti-infectives, skin ulcer management, and pressure relief devices. Others, such as biological dressings and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), are in the infant stages of development, and are providing highly effective new skin ulcer treatments. Ground-breaking advances using tissue engineering, growth factors, animal-fetal-cell research, stem cell research, and gene therapy may offer new hope to patients suffering from acute and chronic skin ulcers. These new therapies will result in shorter healing times and hence cost savings; they will also increasingly focus on special populations, especially diabetics and the obese. While the mature areas generate the majority of sales, but with slower growth rates, the newer segments have been driving growth. Kalorama Information valued the wound care market at US$5 billion in 2008 and projects an annual growth of 8% through 2013, despite the current recession.

"Better wound management reduces hospital stays and the risk of infection, which means lower costs,” said Mary Ann Crandall, wound care analyst for Kalorama information. "Therefore we expect no retraction in wound care. In fact, we expect rapid innovation and brisk sales.”

According to the report, one of the largest potential markets for accelerated growth is diabetic foot care; the elevated blood sugar levels that occur with diabetes mellitus damage blood vessels, causing them to thicken and leak. Over time, this thickening means they are less able to supply the body, especially the skin, with the blood it needs to stay healthy. Poor blood supply to the skin often leads to ulcers, especially on the feet. Because of the poor circulation, these ulcers are slow to heal and often become deep and infected.

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