References
A comparison of inpatients with leg ulceration using published randomised controlled trials
Abstract
Background:
Leg ulcers are a significant burden and reduce patients' quality of life. In recent years, a plethora of information has been issued regarding leg ulcer management and ‘the demographics of patients affected in the community. However, little is known about the leg ulcer population and how these patients should be managed in acute hospitals.
Aim:
To compare the demographic data of inpatients with leg ulcers referred to the tissue viability service in a large teaching hospital with data on leg ulcer populations in acute and community settings.
Methods:
Inpatient demographic data were retrospectively obtained from electronic patient records. A literature search identified studies regarding leg ulcer populations in acute and community settings.
Results:
The patient population in acute settings is around 10 years older than that in community settings, with much greater levels of comorbidity and higher mortality rates.
Conclusion:
An improved understanding of inpatients with leg ulcers would allow investigations and interventions to be targeted better, enabling evidence-based, patient-centred referral and care pathways. Further research is required to understand the aetiology and outcomes of leg ulcers for the inpatient population.
A leg ulcer is an open wound between the knee and malleolus joint that is unhealed for at least 4 weeks (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, 2010). They are painful and distressing, affect patients' quality of life and place a financial burden on healthcare providers (Gohel et al, 2007; Cwajda-Białasik et al, 2012). In recent years, several studies have evaluated leg ulcer management in the community (Guest et al, 2015; 2017a). However, little is known about the leg ulcer population in the acute hospital setting (Dealey, 1999; Aldeen, 2007; Anderson, 2017).
Patients admitted to hospital with active leg ulceration may be referred to multiple specialties such as plastic surgery, tissue viability (TV), vascular surgery, dermatology, infectious diseases and diabetic foot teams. This variety in specialty teams can lead to inconsistent management, affecting length of stay, investigations ordered and interventions carried out. Moreover, Guest et al (2015; 2017a) showed that nearly one in five people with a leg ulcer seen by the NHS received no differential diagnosis. A failure to determine the underlying cause of a wound implies that treatment has not been targeted correctly (Staines, 2018).
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting British Journal of Nursing and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for nurses. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Limited access to clinical or professional articles
-
Unlimited access to the latest news, blogs and video content