Wounds in chronic leg oedema

• Published in: International wound journal 2022-02, Vol.19 (2), p.411-425
• Main Authors: Burian, Ewa Anna, Karlsmark, Tonny, Nørregaard, Susan, Kirketerp‐Møller, Klaus, Kirsner, Robert Scott, Franks, Peter John, Quéré, Isabelle, Moffatt, Christine Joy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body mass index; Cancer; Cellulitis; Chronic Disease; chronic oedema; Compression therapy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatology; Edema; Edema - epidemiology; Edema - etiology; Hippocrates (460?-377? BC); Human health and pathology; Humans; Leg; Leg ulcers; Legs; Life Sciences; LIMPRINT; Lymphedema; Lymphedema - epidemiology; lymphoedema; Male; Medical records; Obesity; Original; Patients; Risk factors; Surgery; Variables; Wound healing; wounds and injuries
• ISSN: 1742-4801; 1742-481X
• DOI: 10.1111/iwj.13642

Wounds and chronic oedema are common disorders, but rarely studied together. The objective of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the point‐prevalence and risk factors of wounds on the leg, in chronic leg oedema. Forty sites in nine countries were included. Of 7077 patients with chronic leg oedema, 12.70% had wounds. Independent risk factors were: peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio (OR) 4.87, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.63‐6.52), cellulitis within the past 12 months (OR 2.69, 95% CI 2.25‐3.21), secondary lymphoedema (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.93‐3.60), being male (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.78‐2.44), being over 85 years of age (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.23‐2.62), underweight (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.14‐2.79), bed bound (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.01‐3.16), chair bound (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.18‐1.97), diabetes (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.23‐1.77), and walking with aid (OR 1·41, 95% CI 1.17‐1.69). 43.22% of those with wounds had clinically defined well‐controlled oedema, associated with a significantly lower risk of wounds (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.42‐0.58, P