CUPRA trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prospective, randomised controlled trial assessing MedCu copper dressing for leg ulcer management
IRAS ID
350241
Contact name
Jane Todhunter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
Prompt appropriate treatment to heal lower limb ulcers is desirable to reduce the risk of complications (infection or even amputation) and to minimise the considerable costs involved in caring for chronic wounds. To date, clinicians have usually been guided by clinical signs (presence of redness, puss, bad odour) to determine if a wound is infected and may need antimicrobial dressings applied. However, there is limited evidence whether proactive antimicrobial dressing treatment may minimise the risk of wounds becoming infected, and if this approach may help accelerate wound healing. This present study will aim to determine if treatment of leg ulcers with a copper-oxide particle impregnated dressing (called MedCu, or ‘copper dressing’) can aid in wound healing of leg ulcers compared to standard care dressings. Copper is a known antimicrobial agent and there is early evidence that in parallel it can also help to accelerate wound healing. A minimum total of 66 patients with a lower limb (leg / foot) ulcer will be enrolled in this study, and allocated 1:1 to either standard care or the copper dressing. After a treatment period of up to 12 weeks, wound healing in the two groups will be compared to see if healing rates differ.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
25/NS/0020
Date of REC Opinion
11 Mar 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion