Objective: To identify independent risk factors for delayed healing and increased recurrence of chronic venous leg ulcers. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Community-based leg ulcer service. Patients: Six hundred and thirty-three limbs in 587 consecutive patients with an ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) ≥0.85. Method: Potential risk factors were initially assessed in a one-stop clinic incorporating clinical evaluation, ABPI and venous duplex imaging. Limbs were treated within a defined protocol. Twenty-four-week healing and 3-year ulcer recurrence rates were determined. Results: Of 12 potential risk factors age ( p< 0.001), ulcer chronicity ( p< 0.001) and popliteal vein reflux ( p< 0.005) were independent risks for delayed healing. Of 13 potential risk factors rheumatoid arthritis ( p<0.005) and healing time ( p < 0.05) were independent risks for ulcer recurrence. Isolated superficial venous reflux treated by saphenous vein surgery predicted reduced ulcer recurrence ( p< 0.005). Conclusion: Targeting in primary care of ulcer patients with specific characteristics might encourage earlier referral and appropriate resource management. Leg ulcer patients with superficial venous reflux might benefit from surgical correction.
Risk factors related to the failure of venous leg ulcers to heal with compression treatment
