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. 2011 Dec 21;2011:1902.
Ref (type) Population Outcome, Interventions Results and statistical analysis Effect size Favours
Healing
[46]
Systematic review
147 people
2 RCTs in this analysis
Proportion of ulcers completely healed
with dressings impregnated with silver
with dressings not containing silver
Absolute results not reported

RR 1.66
95% CI 0.68 to 4.05
P = 0.27
Not significant
[48]
RCT
251 people Proportion of responders (defined as people with a >20% reduction in ulcer area) at 28 days
104/129 (81%) with ethacridine lactate (0.1% solution) twice daily
69/122 (57%) with placebo

P <0.0001
Effect size not calculated ethacridine lactate
[49]
RCT
119 people Proportion of people with completely healed ulcers
21/62 (34%) with 10% pale sulphonated shale oil
13/57 (23%) with vehicle (non-ionic gel)

P = 0.177
Not significant
[49]
RCT
119 people Reduction in ulcer area
72% with 10% pale sulphonated shale oil
19% with vehicle (non-ionic gel)
Absolute numbers not reported

P <0.001
Effect size not calculated pale sulphonated shale oil
[47]
Systematic review
1188 people with leg wounds and ulcers
7 RCTs in this analysis
Complete wound healing
68/574 (12%) with silver impregnated dressing
52/544 (10%) with non-silver dressing

Risk difference for healing: +0.02
95% CI –0.01 to +0.06
P = 0.18
Not significant
[50]
RCT
213 people with venous leg ulcers Ulcers healed 12 months
95/107 (89%) with silver-donating dressings
90/106 (85%) with non-silver low-adherence dressings

RR 1.03
95% CI 0.51 to 2.08
Not significant