Topical Micronutrient Products by Darlene McCord
PART I

David E. Davenport, M.D., FACR
Darlene McCord, Ph.D., FAPWCA
Brenda Bull R.T. (R)(T)

Abstract

Objective: To determine if new micronutrient skin care technologies could outperform the Standard-of-Care (SOC) by reducing the incidence of radiodermatitis while improving the patient’s perceived Quality-of-Life during radiotherapy. Breast cancer patients have benefited from skin sparing technologies, but remain at high risk of skin breakdown associated with radiation dermatitis. Ninety two to ninety six percent of breast cancer patients will experience skin reaction and lost Quality-of-Life. Patients and Methods: The study utilized validated scoring documents developed by the Oncology Nursing Society and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Eighty two patients receiving radiotherapy were evaluated in the year-over-year study.

Forty one patients received the SOC, Natural Care® Gel from Bard Medical and Aquaphor® Healing Ointment from Beiersdorf AG. The following 41 patients received Remedy™ micronutrient skin care products from Medline Industries, Inc. Results: Remedy micronutrient skin care products reduced radiodermatitis by 14.4% and the incidence of wet desquamation by 25% over the SOC.

Significantly, over 10% of the patients receiving the SOC sustained infections during the course of their radiotherapy and one patient had to discontinue care. No infections or discontinuation of care were reported in the Remedy group. Further, 46% of the Remedy patients reported no reduction in their quality of life due to skin related problems including product application values, resulting in higher rates of skin care compliance. Remedy patients averaged a Quality-of Life (QL) score of 0.53 with the best possible score being 0 and the maximum score being 30, indicating the highest possible impairment of QL.

Key Words: Radiodermatitis, Skin Care, Breast Cancer, Quality-of-Life, Topical Micronutrients