By Katherine Kozlowski, Medical Writer and Contributor to Vein News and www.VeinsVeinsVeins.com
Examining risk factors and preventative treatments for first venous leg ulceration: A cohort Study
Darwin et al (2020) completed a retrospective cohort analysis to investigate factors that are associated with the development of patients’ first venous leg ulcerations.
Patients with venous insufficiency were analyzed and followed to determine whether they developed the first incidence of venous leg ulcerations.
What will increase the risk for venous leg ulcerations?
Men had 1.84 times the risk compared to women.
People aged 45-54 years had 1.32 times the risk compared to those younger.
People aged 55-64 years had 1.60 times the risk compared to those younger.
People with a past history of non-venous leg ulceration(s) had 3.92 times the risk compared to those who did not have a history of non-venous leg ulceration(s).
Use of anticoagulants (medication that helps prevent blood clots) increased risk by 1.20 times compared to people who were not using anticoagulants.
Use of antihypertensives (medication to prevent high blood pressure) increased risk by 1.07 times compared to people who were not using antihypertensive medications.
Patients with pre-existing venous insufficiency had 1.24 times the risk for first venous leg ulceration compared to those who did not have a history of venous insufficiency.
Patients with edema (swelling) had 1.22 times the risk for first venous leg ulceration compared to patients who did not have edema.
Patients with chronic venous hypertension (high blood pressure in leg veins) had 1.67 times the risk for first venous leg ulceration.
What will decrease the risk for venous leg ulcerations?
Having venous surgery decreased a person’s risk by 55%.
Using compression stockings decreased a person’s risk by 27%.
Using prescribed statins (medication to prevent high cholesterol) decreased a person’s risk by 28%.
Using pain medications decreased a person’s risk by 22%.
What are the study conclusions ?
The study states that the above evidence in conjunction with early diagnosis of venous insufficiency can be used for the prevention of venous leg ulcerations through use of therapeutic strategies, especially compression stockings and venous surgical interventions.
Reference: Darwin, E., Guodong, L., Kirsner, R. et al. Examining risk factors and preventive treatments for first venous leg ulceration: A cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021: 84(1): 76-85.