Lower Limb Ulcers Research Articles

A prospective study on venous ulcer in patients with varicose veins

Venous ulcers are by far the most common lower-limb ulcers. It has a higher mortality rate and causes economic strain on both individuals and nations. The pathophysiology is chronic venous hypertension due to primary or secondary venous disease with perforator paucity, destruction, or incompetence resulting in reflux, but tissue hypoxia, cell death, and ulceration are caused by inflammatory reactions mediated by leucocytes, platelet adhesion, formation of a pericapillary fibrin cuff, growth factors, and macromolecules trapped in tissue. Aim: To study about incidence of venous leg ulcers in patients with varicose veins attending general surgery OPD in RMMCH and to study the risk factors influencing occurrence of venous ulcer in patients with varicose veins. Results: Incidence of venous ulcer was more common in young adults and patients working as laborer which involves working in standing position for a longer time. Incidence of ulcer was common among males than in females in the ratio of 24:1 and left sided venous ulcers are more common than (R) side ulcers. Staphylococcus aureus was the common organism presented in about 44% of the cases 28% of the organisms isolated was found to be Gram negative. Conclusion: Venous ulcers in patients with varicose veins are even common among young adults, perhaps due to occupations which require prolonged standing or they are more prone to traumatize while working. Co-morbidities like Diabetes, smoking and micro-organism like Staphylococcus aureus are major risk factors for venous ulcer.

ICD-10 Diagnostic Coding for Identifying Hospitalizations Related to a Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

To estimate the positive predictive value (PPV) of Canadian ICD-10 diagnostic coding for the identification of hospitalization related to a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Hospitalizations related to a neuropathic and/or ischemic DFU were identified from the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) records of a single Canadian tertiary care hospital between April 1, 2002 and March 31, 2019. The first coding approach required a most responsible diagnosis (MRDx) code for diabetes-specific foot ulceration or gangrene (DSFUG group). Three alternative coding approaches were also considered: MRDx code for lower-limb osteomyelitis (osteomyelitis group); lower-limb ulceration (LLU group); or lower-limb atherosclerotic gangrene (atherosclerosis group)-each in conjunction with a non-MRDx DSFUG code on the same DAD record. From all eligible DAD records, random samples were drawn for each coding group. DAD records were independently compared by a masked reviewer who manually abstracted data from the entire hospital record (reference standard). The PPV and 95% CI were generated. Out of 1,460 hospitalizations, a total of 300, 50, 33 and seven records were included from the DSFUG, osteomyelitis, LLU and atherosclerosis samples, respectively. Compared to the reference standard, the PPV for all 390 records was 88.5% (95% CI 84.9 to 91.5). The DSFUG group had the highest PPV (90.0%, 95% CI 86.0 to 93.2), followed by the atherosclerosis (85.7%, 95% CI 42.1 to 99.6), LLU (84.9%, 95% CI 68.1 to 94.9) and osteomyelitis (82.0%, 95% CI 68.6 to 91.4) groups. Based on data from a Canadian tertiary care hospital, the specified coding algorithms can be used to identify and study the management and outcomes of people hospitalized with a DFU in Ontario.

Maggot debridement therapy to treat hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers: a single-centre study

Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) has seen a resurgence in recent years in the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds, as a result of rising antibiotic resistance. The sterilised larvae of Lucilia cuprina have been used in MDT in Malaysia since 2003, with encouraging results for the treatment of hard-to-heal diabetic wounds. We report a case series of 30 patients selected from our clinic by convenient sampling with diabetic lower limb ulcers treated with MDT. The average age of patients receiving MDT was >50 years. Of the 30 patients in the study, nine were female and 21 were male. All patients had underlying diabetes, two patients had leg ulcers and 28 patients had diabetic foot ulcers. Sterilised Lucilia cuprina larvae were applied via a standard method of 10 maggots per square centimetre and dressed with sterile gauze. The study endpoint was defined as ≤5% coverage with slough or necrotic tissue following three successive applications of MDT. In this study, maximum debridement of wounds was achieved in 96.6% (29 patients) of our patients, with ≤5% coverage with slough or necrotic tissue, in addition to a reduction in wound-related pain, as assessed by a visual analogue scale. No adverse events were reported. The findings of this study support the use of MDT as a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective method of managing diabetic wounds.

Effectiveness of Ozone Therapy as an Adjunct Treatment for Lower-Limb Ulcers: A Systematic Review.

To evaluate the effectiveness of topical ozone therapy as an adjuvant treatment in the healing of lower limb ulcers through a systematic literature review. Three databases were used to search for studies conducted in the period up to and including September 2020: PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science. The search identified 44 studies, 7 of which met the eligibility criteria and were evaluated. Study design, study location, number of patients, patient age, type of control, wound type, intervention type, equipment used to generate ozone (ozone generation), evaluation methodology, and main results were extracted from each study. A total of 506 patients 18 years or older with chronic wounds, such as venous or diabetic ulcers, on the lower limbs were enrolled. The majority of studies addressed diabetic foot ulcers. The ozone therapy protocols demonstrated a healing effect in all included studies, and none reported adverse effects. This reinforces the need for more controlled and randomized clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of this treatment and establish clinical criteria for its use.

English

BACKGROUND Wounds and their management are important in the practice of surgery. Super oxidised solution is a recent concept in wound management. It is an aqueous solution which is electrochemically processed which is non-toxic, non-irrigating and is having a neutral pH. Povidone iodine is the most common topical wound care product used in surgical practice. Both are affordable solutions for the patients. There are very few studies comparing the efficacy. In this study, we wanted to compare the efficacy of super oxidised solution and povidone iodine in the management of lower limb ulcers. METHODS A prospective study was conducted on 100 patients who were randomized into two groups. Group A was treated with super oxidized solution and Group B were treated with povidone iodine. Assessments of wounds were done on various days (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21). Various outcomes of data were analysed using statistical analysis. RESULTS The average percentage reduction in wound size on day 21 was 47 % in Group A compared to 24 % in Group B. Early appearance of granulation tissue, disinfection, decrease in wound size, and less duration of hospital stay was achieved in Group A. CONCLUSIONS The results were more favourable towards super oxidised solution than povidone iodine. In this comparative study, super oxidized solution had faster efficacy and wound healing in patients than povidone iodine. KEY WORDS Super Oxidized Solution, Ulcer, Povidone Iodine.

An advanced self-care delivery model for leg ulcer management: a service evaluation.

Lower limb ulceration is a common cause of suffering in patients and its management poses a significant burden on the NHS, with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) being the most common hard-to-heal wound in the UK. It is estimated that over one million patients in the UK have lower limb ulceration, of which 560,000 were categorised as VLUs, with a cost burden of over £3 billion each year. The aim of this service evaluation was to assess the effects of implementing a self-care delivery model on clinical outcomes with the intention of limiting face-to-face health professional contact to one appointment every 6 weeks. A suitability assessment was conducted and a cohort of patients were moved to a self-care delivery model. Patient data were collected, anonymised and independently analysed, comparing time to healing against data on file from a previous report. This highlighted that, in 84 of the 95 patients selected, the VLUs had healed by week 24 on the pathway, a further 10 patients' VLUs had healed by week 42 and only one remaining patient reached 42 weeks without healing. These results support the hypothesis that patients with VLUs can self-care and deliver clinical effectiveness. It is recommended that all services explore the possibility of introducing a self-care model for VLU care.

Effectiveness of Blue light photobiomodulation therapy in the treatment of chronic wounds. Results of the Blue Light for Ulcer Reduction (B.L.U.R.) Study.

Lower limb ulcers not responding to standard treatments after 8 weeks are defined as chronic wounds, and they are a significant medical problem. Blue light (410-430 nm) proved to be effective in treating wounds, but there is a lack of data on chronic wounds in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to determine if blue light photobiomodulation with EmoLED (Emoled Srl, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy) medical device in addition to standard of care is more effective compared to standard of care alone in promoting re-epithelialization of chronic wounds of lower limbs in 10 weeks. Ninety patients affected by multiple or large area ulcers were enrolled. To minimize all variabilities, each patient has been used as control of himself. Primary endpoint was the comparison of the re-epithelialization rate expressed as a percentage of the difference between the initial and final area. Secondary endpoints were: treatment safety, pain reduction, wound area reduction trend over time, healing rate. At week 10, the wounds treated with EmoLED in addition to standard care showed a smaller residual wound area compared to the wounds treated with standard of care alone: 42.1% vs. 63.4% (P=0.029). The difference is particularly evident in venous leg ulcers, 33.3% vs. 60.1% (P=0.007). 17 treated wounds and 12 controls showed complete healing at week 10. Patients showed a significant reduction in pain (P=2×10-7). Blue light treatment in addition to standard of care accelerates consistently the re-epithelialization rate of chronic wounds, especially venous leg ulcers and increases the chances of total wound healing in 10 weeks.

Major Lower Extremity Amputations due to Diabetes Mellitus Complications

Background: Lower limbs ulcers and wounds, Charcot foot with the presence of peripheral neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease are common complications of the diabetes mellitus (DM). Major extremity amputations (below and above knee) are one of the common surgical procedures performed due to DM complications. Objective: To review the amputations performed due to diabetes mellitus (DM) complications with other associated illness, commonly isolated bacteria, and the demography of the patients in a public general hospital. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of above and below the knee amputations due to DM complications from January 2012 to December 2016. The age, gender, duration of DM anyone having, bacteria isolated, vascular condition of the lower limbs, other diseases anyone having, post-surgery wound conditions and status of the ambulation after surgery were analyzed. Results: A total of 53 amputations of the limbs of 51 patients were performed. Below knee amputations were performed on 43 (81.83%) limbs and male gender were 35(68.62%). The mean age of the patient was 57.6±12.01 years (range 31-91 years). The three most common bacteria isolated were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae. About 85% of these bacteria were sensitive to commonly used first line of antibiotics like co-amoxiclav and ciprofloxacin. Fifty cases (98.03%) had diabetes for more than five years. End stage renal disease (ESRD) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) were the other common co-morbidities observed. Conclusion: Major lower limb amputations (below and above the knee) due to uncontrolled blood sugar are common surgical procedures performed on DM. Majority of the bacteria were sensitive to commonly used first line of antibiotics but still 15% were not sensitive and bacteria isolation, sensitivity with the drugs were also important for the treatment of the infection.

Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine nursing technique pricking blood therapy for the chronic skin ulcer of lower limb

Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine nursing technique pricking blood therapy for the chronic skin ulcer of lower limb

The importance of Mediterranean diet and hydration habitus in patients with lower limb ulcers: A pilot study

Chronic leg ulcers are a common condition among adults, causing pain and social distress. Population aging has contributed to the amplification of the disease with increased cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, limb ischemia, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and hydration on the healing rate of the ulcers. A group of 35 patients (M/F 16/19, mean age 78 ± 10 years) with venous, arterial, or mixed ulcers was subjected to a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and a Hydration Habits Questionnaire (HHQ). Clinical and anthropometric data were collected. A one-year follow-up was conducted. Complete ulcer healing was observed in 26% of the patients, of whom 67% had a habit of high hydration (more than 1 liter /day), regardless of adherence to the MD. In our study population, about half showed a low adherence to the MD. A moderate-high adherence to the MD showed an increase of arterial ulcer healing compared to subjects with a low adherence to the MD, however, only when associated to a consumption of more than 1 liter of water daily. In conclusion, dietary assessments could help identify patients who are likely to benefit from nutritional interventions for improving overall health and wound healing. The habit of high hydration, namely more than 1 liter daily, can influence the wound healing rate.

ENDOVASCULAR PROCEDURES FOR LOWER LIMB PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE IN AN AMBULATORY UNIT.

To analyse the safety and outcomes of endovascular procedures in an ambulatory practice. Data were collected from a cohort of patients admitted in an ambulatory unit for an endovascular procedure for lower limb (LL) arterial occlusive disease during a one year period. A total of 168 procedures were carried out in 134 patients. Patients' mean age was 67 (39-91) years and 78% were male. Most patients presented with lower limb ulcer or gangrene (43%) or disabling claudication (40%). Most frequent comorbidities included hypertension (75.4%), dyslipidemia (72.4%) and diabetes mellitus (57.5%). The preferred vascular access for the procedures was the common femoral artery (52%), superficial femoral artery (24%) and humeral artery (21%). Global complication rate was 19% but only one major, non-fatal complication was identified. The most common complication was arterial dissection (8.3%), none compromising blood flow. One-year amputation rate was 6.7%, and one-year mortality was 3.0%. Factors significantly associated with procedure complications were female sex, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Ambulatory endovascular procedures for PAD are safe and effective in selected patients. Both the low rate and low severity of complications make them an attractive option in the prospect of diminishing the burden of these patients on the health-care system while improving patient comfort.

Non Healing Venous Ulcer

Chronic leg ulceration affects 1–2% of the population and is associated with poor healing, frequent ulcer recurrence, and significant morbidity. Venous reflux can be identified in more than 70% of ulcerated legs. Coexistent arterial disease may be a factor in up to 20% of patients, but the clinical significance is poorly understood. We describe a patient who presented with a lower-limb ulcer, which was treated as a misdiagnosed case of venous ulcer for 12 years, following femoral pseudoaneurysm ligation.

Below Knee Angioplasty Results in Diabetic aAnd Non-Diabetic Patients

Ten to 25 % of all diabetic patients will develop a lower limb ulcer in their lifetime. Ankle-brachial index is not accurate in diabetic patients .The resting systolic toe pressure (TP) may be a measure of small arterial function within the periphery. Objective: The purpose of this article is to consider the effect of below-knee angioplasty on systolic toe pressure changes in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia. Methods/Materials: In this prospective study 114 patients, were included who satisfied the inclusion criteria: patients with critical limb ischemia in the form of tissue loss(ulcer or gangrene) or rest pain, presence of below-knee vessel lesion, and absence of proximal vessels lesion or stenosis. We evaluated the effect of angioplasty on toe pressure of diabetic patients and compared them to non-diabetics. Results: Among 114 patients, 78(68/4%) were men and 36(31/6%) were women. Diabetic patients were 96(84/2%) and non-diabetics were 18 (15.8%). In Paired T-Test analysis we compared toe pressure values of each patient before and after angioplasty and it was a significant difference in both Diabetic and non-diabetic groups.(0.00 and 0.008 respectively). The mean of systolic toe pressure before angioplasty had no difference between the 2 groups (PValue: 0.13). The mean of toe pressure in non-diabetic patients was 42±31.9 and in diabetics was 25.6 and after angioplasty, the mean of toe pressure raised 44.3 in non-diabetics and 19.4 in diabetics. Conclusions: Systolic toe pressure is a valuable tool to evaluate and predict angioplasty effect on below-knee ulcers especially in diabetic patients. Keywords: Below knee Angioplasty, Systolic toe pressure, Diabetes

A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AUTOLOGOUS PLATELET-RICH FIBRIN VERSUS SALINE DRESSING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC VENOUS LEG ULCERS

Background: Venous disease is responsible for around 85% of all chronic lower limb ulcers in resource-rich countries. Venous leg ulcer is a chronic condition, and various treatment modalities are available. Various adjunctive wound care therapies and procedures are available that can be utilized as part of a comprehensive approach to healing venous stasis ulcers. Platelet-rich brin (PRF) is one of the newer modalities and it contains broblast growth factor (FGF), VEGF, angiopoietin and platelet-derived GF which enhances the wound healing. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the efcacy of PRF versus saline dressing in chronic venous leg ulcers. Aim: To compare the efcacy of autologous PRF with saline dressing in patients with chronic venous leg ulcer in terms of mean reduction in ulcer area, presence of infection and cosmetic outcome at the end of 4 weeks. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with chronic venous leg ulcers of >6 months duration having an ulcer area of 1 cm × 1 cm to 5 cm × 5 cm were taken into the study and were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1: Patients received PRF dressing. 10 mL of patient's blood was taken and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 min. A brin clot obtained in the middle of the tube was removed and used for dressing over the wound surface. It was repeated every week for 4 weeks. Group 2: Patients received saline dressings once a week for 4 weeks. The assessment of the ulcer size was done with the help of photographs, and ulcer area was measured. Results: The mean reduction in the area of the ulcer size in PRF group was 81.84%, and the mean reduction in the area of the ulcer size in Saline group was 59.84%. Conclusion: Platelet rich brin matrix is a novel modality and an ideal, safe, affordable therapeutic option for chronic venous leg ulcers.

Clinical and aetiological study of chronic lower limb ulcers

Background: Chronic ulceration of the lower leg is a frequent condition, with a prevalence in the population over 60 years of age. The incidence of ulceration is rising as a result of the ageing population and increased risk factors for atherosclerotic occlusion such as smoking, obesity and diabetes. Ulcers can be defined as wounds with a ‘full thickness depth’ and a ‘slow healing tendency”. In general, the slow healing tendency is not simply explained by depth and size, but caused by an underlying pathogenetic factor that needs to be removed to induce healing. The main causes are venous valve insufficiency, lower extremity arterial disease and diabetes, less frequent conditions are infection, vasculitis, skin malignancies and ulcerating skin diseases such as pyoderma gangrenosum. For a proper treatment of patients with leg ulcers it is important to be aware of the large differential diagnosis of leg ulceration and to effectively manage the conditions.Methods: Prospective study of 80 cases of chronic lower limb ulcers admitted at S. Nijalingappa medical college and HSK hospital and research centre, Bagalkot during the period January 2019 to June 2020, with regular dressings, debridement, skin grafting’s, amputations, treating underlying systemic diseases were done.Results: In a study of 80 cases, most of the patients with lower limb ulcers had an underlying systemic disease like diabetes, vascular insufficiency both arterial and venous.Conclusions: In a prospective study of 80 patients having chronic lower limb ulcers the commonest ulcer was diabetic foot ulcers followed by arterial/ischemic ulcers. The highest incidence is seen in sixth decade of life with male predominance.

Comprehensive Analysis of Cell Therapy on Chronic Skin Wound Healing: A Meta-Analysis.

Wound healing has been greatly challenging in different acute and chronic skin injuries. Among them, nonrevascularizable critical limb ischemic ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and diabetic lower limb or extremity ulcers are well-known refractory skin injuries that are difficult to treat. Partly differentiated, progenitor cell-based graft transplantation or direct injection of autologous stem cells might promote the wound healing process. Studies aiming to comprehensively analyze the effects of cell therapy on skin wound healing could provide clinical evidence for skin injury treatment. Different databases were searched for full-text publications on the comparison between cell therapy and regular therapy. Heterogeneity was detected by the I2 method, and a fixed effect model was applied for data pooling if heterogeneity was absent. Publication bias was analyzed using a funnel plot, and 10 studies were finally included in this study. After a long-term follow-up, fewer patients underwent major amputation in the cell therapy group, compared with the standard therapy group, and those in the cell therapy group were characterized by a smaller ulcer area. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the wound healing rate between the intervention and control groups. However, pain caused by skin wounds was hardly mitigated by cell therapy in patients with critical limb ischemia. In this study, cell therapy proved effective in decreasing the size of ulcers and improving the wound closure rate. Additionally, the major amputation rate was decreased in the cell therapy group. However, the symptoms of pain were hardly alleviated by cell therapy in patients with cutaneous ulcers caused by peripheral artery disease-related critical limb ischemia.

Microbiological effects in patients with leg ulcers and diabetic foot treated with Lucilia sericata larvae.

Lucilia sericata bottle fly worms can be used to heal infected, chronic, or necrotic wounds, including those associated with ulceration and diabetic foot. The study aimed to evaluate changes in the microflora in patients treated with L sericata larvae due to leg ulcers and diabetic foot. One hundred twenty‐nine patients diagnosed with lower limb ulceration and diabetic foot were enrolled in the study, of which 80 of them met the eligibility criteria for maggot debridement therapy (MDT). On the contrary, 49 unqualified patients were offered ozone therapy (22 with leg ulcers; 27 with diabetic foot). In each of these patients, a microbiological swab was performed before and after the start of therapy. The group of 80 patients was further divided into four equal groups in terms of the treated area (lower leg vs foot) and the number of larvae/cm2 (5 vs 10). Twenty‐three particular species of bacteria in the infected wound were studied microbiologically in terms of presence/absence within the wound environment before and after treatment of patients with diabetic foot and lower limb ulceration. It was noted that there was a more intensive bacterial accumulation in the feet of patients compared to legs; furthermore, this applies to almost all analysed species. Diabetes status is also a clinical factor that generates a lower chance of bacterial appearance in the wound environment. Densification of MDT larvae per wound area unit also reduced the chance of the presence of Corynebacterium species, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus MSSA, and Streptococcus coagulase negativa; however, it increased the likelihood of occurrence for Proteus mirabilis and the Proteus species. A microbiological analysis in this non‐reference study shows the efficacy of larval therapy for leg and foot ulcers. Rearrangement of the microflora within the wound has been reported as a result of the therapy.

Efficacy and Safety of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Diabetic Kidney Transplant Patients: Review of the Current Literature

Introduction: SGLT2 inhibitors are oral hypoglycemic medications used in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). They act by blocking glucose and sodium reabsorption in the proximal renal tubules. In patients with T2DM and cardiovascular disease, SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to improve glycemic control, promote weight loss, and reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). They have also been shown to have favorable renal outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) reducing albuminuria and progression to end-stage renal disease; however, all studies have excluded kidney transplant patients. The objective of this review was to determine the efficacy and safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in the kidney transplant population. Methods: We conducted a literature review to identify studies which assessed the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in kidney transplant patients with either T2DM or new onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT). The outcomes assessed included blood pressure, glycemic control, body weight, kidney function, proteinuria and complications. Results: Nine studies, which included 144 patients, were extracted for review. These included x4 case series, x3 cohort studies, x1 randomized control trial (RCT), and x1 case report. The largest study was a prospective RCT from Norway, which assessed empagliflozin versus placebo in 44 patients. Majority of patients had NODAT (n=92) or T2DM (n=50). All patients had estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >30mL/min/1.73m2 and HbA1C >6.5%. The most commonly used SGLT2 inhibitors were empagliflozin (n=82), canagliflozin (n=34), and dapagliflozin (n=28). SGLT2 inhibitor use in kidney transplant patients was found to demonstrate a small or non-significant reduction in blood pressure, modest improvement in glycemic control and decrease in insulin resistance, and moderate-to-significant weight reduction. It also resulted in stable graft function and one study demonstrated a reduction in proteinuria. The most common adverse effect was urinary tract infection (n=13). There were no cases of diabetic ketoacidosis or development of new ischemic lower limb ulcerations or amputations. Conclusion: Our literature review suggests beneficial outcomes of SGLT2 inhibitor use in diabetic kidney transplant patients, with no significant adverse effects or complications. Given the limited evidence in this population, we are launching a prospective study in kidney transplant patients with either T2DM or NODAT, and with eGFR ≥30mL/min/1.73m2, to assess the efficacy and safety of SGLT2 inhibitor use in this population. To our knowledge, this will be the first prospective study in Canada assessing SGLT2 inhibitor use in diabetic kidney transplant patients.

A guide to cost-effective management of leg ulcers

Chronic wounds have a substantial economic impact on the NHS, with leg ulcers alone costing almost £4.6 billion per year. Approximately 2% of the adult population is affected by lower limb ulceration, and this is rising as a result of demographics, including longer life expectancy and the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Even after healing, the recurrence rate of leg ulcers is high, meaning that the cost and health impact is a long-term problem. There appears to be a large variation in treatment methods, possibly as a result of a lack of evidence-based practices. The variation in practice means that, in many areas, healing times are far from optimal, leading to increased costs and health burden for the patient. This article outlines a number of previously published recommendations, including the leg ulcer treatment pathway. The article also provides an overview of the considerations when undertaking an economic evaluation of pathways, and provides recommendations about the type of data that should be routinely collected in clinical trials.

Creating capacity in the healthcare system: the urgent need to improve lower limb ulcer care

Una Adderley discusses the National Wound Care Strategy Programme's recommendations for the care of patients with lower limb ulcers, which are now being implemented across England.