Health service costs of treating venous leg ulcers in the UK: evidence from a cross-sectional survey based in the north west of England

ObjectivesTo estimate and examine the direct healthcare costs of treating people with open venous leg ulcers in the UK.DesignCost-of-illness study.SettingA cross-sectional survey of nine National Health Service community locales over 2-week periods in 2015/2016.MethodsWe examined the resource use and prevalence of venous leg ulcer treatment in the community. Examination of variation in these obtained costs was performed by ordinary least squares regression. We used additional resource use information from a randomised control trial and extrapolated costs to the UK for an annual period.ResultsThe average 2-week per person cost of treating patients where a venous leg ulceration was the primary (most severe) wound was estimated at £166.39 (95% CI £157.78 to £175.00) with community staff time making up over half of this amount. Costs were higher where antimicrobial dressings were used and where wound care was delivered in the home. Among those with any recorded venous leg ulcer (primary and non-primary), we derived a point prevalence of 3.2 per 10 000 population and estimated that the annual prevalence could be no greater than 82.4 per 10 000 population. We estimated that the national cost of treating a venous leg ulcer was £102 million with a per person annual cost at £4787.70.ConclusionOur point prevalence figures are in line with the literature. However, our annual prevalence estimations and costs are far lower than those reported in recent literature which suggests that the costs of treating venous leg ulcers are lower than previously thought. Movement towards routinely collected and useable community care activity would help provide a transparent and deeper understanding of the scale and cost of wound care in the UK.

Decreased mobility, lack of social support, haemosiderosis and use of antidepressant medications may predict recurrent venous leg ulcers within 12 months of healing: A prospective longitudinal study

Aim To identify clinical, medical and psychosocial predictors of venous leg ulcer recurrence within 12 months of healing. Methods A multi-site study was conducted in Australia in community and hospital outpatient settings. Adults with venous leg ulcers were recruited within 4 weeks of healing and data were collected on preventative treatments and health, medical, clinical and psychosocial factors. Follow-up data on recurrences were collected every 3 months until ulcer recurrence, or until 12 months after healing pending which occurred first. Factors associated with time to recurrence were analysed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Design Secondary data analysis of a multi-site, prospective longitudinal study to validate a risk assessment tool for recurrence. Results A sample of 143 participants was recruited (51% male, M age = 73 years, SD 13.6). Almost half (49.6%) had an ulcer recurrence within 12 months, with a mean time to ulcer recurrence of 37 weeks ( SE 1.63, 95% CI 33.7–40.1). Factors measured at the time of healing that were significant independent predictors of recurrence were: prescribed antidepressant medications ( p = .035), presence of haemosiderosis ( p = .006), decreased mobility (longer sitting times) ( p = .007) and lower social support scale scores ( p = .002). Participants who wore compression systems providing 20 mmHg or higher for at least 5 days/week were less likely to recur, although not reaching statistical significance ( p = .06). Conclusion Results provide evidence that antidepressant medications, haemosiderosis, decreased mobility and lack of social support are risk factors associated with ulcer recurrence; therefore, these variables are modifiable and could guide early intervention.

Impact of educational nursing intervention on compression therapy adherence and recurrence of venous leg ulcers: a quasi-experimental study

Following the healing of venous leg ulcers, the primary problems for nursing and patients are adhering to compression therapy and preventing ulcer recurrence. As a result, it is important that patients comprehend their situation. The purpose of this study is to see how an educational nursing intervention affected compression therapy adherence and recurrence of venous leg ulcers in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. A quasi-experimental design is used, including an intervention, a control group, and before and post-assessments. This study is conducted in one of Egypt's largest teaching hospitals associated with Menoufia University. A 20-month study included 80 adult patients with healed venous leg ulcers. Each participant is randomized to either a control (got regular leg ulcer information) or study (received educational interventions) group. The following tools are used in the study: bio-sociodemographic variables, knowledge evaluation, compression therapy adherence scale, and recurrence follow-up, after three, six, and twelve months of implementation. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant difference between the study groups during the pretest (r=0.885, 0.774, 0.477, p=0.002). The use of nurse education increased patients' understanding and adherence to compression treatment substantially. As a consequence, those with chronic venous leg ulcers may be able to avoid recurrent venous leg ulcers.

Microbiological Status of Venous Leg Ulcers and Its Predictors: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Venous leg ulcers are frequently colonized by microbes. This can be particularly devastating if the ulcer is infected with alert pathogens, i.e., highly virulent microorganisms with well-developed mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. We analyzed the microbiological status of venous leg ulcers and identified the clinicodemographic predictors of culture-positive ulcers, especially in ulcers with colonization by alert pathogens. Methods: This study included 754 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Material for microbiological analysis was collected by swabbing only from patients who did not receive any antibiotic treatment. Results: A total of 636 (84.3%) patients presented with culture-positive ulcers. Alert pathogens, primarily Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were detected in 28.6% of the positive cultures. In a logistic regression model, culture-positive ulcers were predicted independently by age > 65 years, current ulcer duration > 12 months, and ulceration area greater than 8.25 cm2. Two of these factors, duration of current ulcer > 12 months and ulceration area > 8.25 cm2, were also identified as the independent predictors of colonization by alert pathogens. Conclusions: Colonization/infection is particularly likely in older persons with chronic and/or large ulcers. Concomitant atherosclerosis was an independent predictor of culture-negative ulcers.

Plasma Total Ascorbic Acid and Serum 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin-D Status in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A Case–Control Study

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) pose a significant burden on patients, health care systems, and national economies. Nutritional health is an important determinant of wound healing. Vitamin C and D levels and additional biochemical markers, C-reactive protein, and albumin in a group of patients with VLUs, were compared with a control group without VLUs. No significant difference in either nutrient marker was found with the presence, size, or duration of VLUs. Obesity was significantly more common in the VLU group, as noted in other studies. Additional controlled studies should be performed with measures of VLU size and duration to assess long-term outcomes with nutritional therapy.

A dual pressure indicator, two-layer compression system for treatment of venous leg ulcers: a review

Objective: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are considered the most frequent category of hard-to-heal limb ulcers. Although evidence-based care of VLUs suggests that compression therapy plays a pivotal role in the standard of care, patient adherence is considered low, with at least 33% non-compliance, either due to perceived problems from clinicians regarding their own competency in applying the bandages, or from the patient finding the wrapping bothersome. For many years, four-layer bandaging has been considered the ‘gold standard’, but application can be difficult and may also prove uncomfortable for patients. Accurate application may be facilitated by a stretch indicator which has been engineered to act as a surrogate for appropriate pressure application that can address the skill concern, while fewer layers can save clinicians' time and improve the quality of life of patients. Here, we review the literature supporting a two-layer system which combines elastic (long stretch) and inelastic (short stretch) components as well as both layers having graphic markers to define that the dressing has been applied at the proper tension. Method: An initial search was conducted on PubMed and then followed up by a manual search of Google Scholar to retrieve evidence of different levels, in order to evaluate the outcomes of use of the specific two-layer compression system with pressure indicators in the management of patients presenting with VLUs. Results: A total of four papers discussing the specific compression system in question were identified from 32 publications retrieved from PubMed, while a further six were retrieved from Google Scholar. These 10 publications were considered relevant to the two-layer system and were analysed for the outcomes of care, including wound healing, appropriate application, time-saving and better patient acceptance and adherence. Conclusion: Previous authors have demonstrated that two-layer systems are equivalent to four-layer systems. However, the ability to reproducibly apply appropriate compression has remained a question. The papers reviewed demonstrate that evidence suggests that the two-layer compression bandage system with indicators provides continuous, consistent and comfortable treatment that may be easier to apply with accurate pressure levels due to their indicator systems, and therefore, is a procedure that may increase patient adherence and acceptability to the wound therapy.

Efficacy of Mobiderm® Bandage in Compression Therapy for Venous Ulcers: A Prospective Case Series

Background: Venous leg ulcers severely affect patients’ quality of life due to its high morbidity and recurrent nature. Currently, compression therapy is the first-line treatment for venous leg ulcers. Aim: This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of the Mobiderm® technology developed by Thuasne in a prospective case series of venous leg ulcers. Methods: Nine patients ( N = 9) with venous leg ulcers were enrolled into this case series. Mobiderm® bandage was applied on to the affected limbs of the patients in the multi-component bandages system. The bandages were changed as frequent as the patients had their wound dressing for their standard treatment in a 12-week duration. Wound size and calf circumference were measured at week 0 and week 12. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the mean values of wound size and calf circumference pre- and post-treatment. Results: Reductions in wound size and calf circumference were observed in all nine patients (100%). Five patients were evaluable at week 12. The wound sizes significantly reduced by 27.2% to 53.2% ( p = 0.02), and the calf circumferences significantly reduced by 3.2% to 26.0% ( p = 0.02) after 12 weeks ( N = 5). Safety was unremarkable, with no occurrence of treatment-emergent-related adverse event. Conclusion: Mobiderm® bandage was reported to be effective in promoting wound healing and reducing swelling, suggesting it to be integrated in the compression therapy for the management of venous leg ulcers.