Socio-demography and clinical profile of venous ulcers

Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Associated Factors of Morbidity in Patients with Venous Ulcers Treated in Two Institutions of Contributive and Subsidized Regime in Colombia: Retrospective, Multicenter, Observational Study

Aim

Objective

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

Transcutaneous Partial Pressure of Oxygen Measurement in Advanced Chronic Venous Insufficiency as a Marker of Tissue Oxygenation

Purpose

Determination of oxygen concentration in tissues affected by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) has shown inconsistent results over the years and has confounded the pathophysiology of venous diseases. This study measured transcutaneous partial oxygen pressure (TcPO₂) levels in patients with CVI to assess oxygenation and variation in oxygenation according to CVI stage.

Methods

Materials and A prospective study was performed on consecutive patients with unilateral CVI. TcPO₂ of diseased and unaffected limbs was measured in the supine and dependent positions. A single TcPO₂ value was measured at the site of greatest skin change or at the edge of the ulcer. The TcPO₂ values were analyzed and compared according to stage.

Results

A total of 96 patients were included in the study with C4 (24.0%), C5 (19.8%), and C6 (56.3%) disease. The mean age was 44.7 years, and 85 (88.5%) were male. There was a statistically significant (P<0.01) difference in mean TcPO₂ levels between the unaffected limb (supine, 32.1 mmHg; dependent, 50.7 mmHg), C5 diseased limb (supine, 16.6 mmHg; dependent, 35.5 mmHg), and C6 diseased limb (supine, 24.2 mmHg; dependent, 40.4 mmHg). In the supine and dependent positions, the mean TcPO₂ in the affected limb was significantly lower (P<0.01) than that in the unaffected limb.

Conclusion

TcPO₂ in advanced CVI can be used as a marker of oxygenation status. This is the first study in an Indian population looking at the relevance of TcPO₂ in the prognostication of advanced CVI.

The profile of patients with venous leg ulcers: A systematic review and global perspective

BACKGROUND

A holistic profile that includes demographic, medical history and wound characteristics of individuals with venous leg ulceration is lacking. Lack of such a profile negatively impacts the ability to develop interventions to improve patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the profile of the patient population with venous leg ulceration from published observational (non-interventional) studies and to identify gaps in the knowledge base for future research in this area.

METHODS

A systematic review of observational studies that included more than 50 patients, from any world region, of any age and in any care setting.

RESULTS

twenty studies, involving 3395 patients, from all world regions met our criteria. Demographic characteristics were well reported and showed a female to male ratio of 1.2:1, average age of 47-65 years, high levels of co-morbidities including hypertension (53-71%) and diabetes (16-20%), and only one study reporting ethnicity. When reported, approximately 4-30% had high levels of depression. The average wound size was 18.6-43.39 cm²; mean wound duration was 13.8-65.5 months, mean number of recurrences was four. No study reported on demographic factors plus medical history plus wound characteristics together.

CONCLUSION

a comprehensive, holistic profile of the population with VLU is lacking. There is a critical need for more comprehensive profiling to enable the development of targeted interventions to improve outcomes.