Studying of the Factors that Affect Healing of Venous Ulcers in Lower Limbs

Abstract

Background: Venous leg ulcers are the most common type of chronic leg ulcers which represent a significant global health burden due to their high recurrence rates, prolonged healing times as well as affecting on quality of life, Identifying of  prognostic factors affecting on wound healing  is considered crucial to improve final outcome of patients.

Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate factors affecting on healing of lower leg venous ulcers.

Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analytical observational study that included 114 patients with venous leg ulcers resulting from chronic venous insufficiency, admitted to the Department of Vascular Surgery at Lattakia University Hospital during the period 2023–2025. Independent factors negatively affecting venous ulcer healing were identified using multivariate analysis.

Results: Among the 114 patients, 66 (57.9%) were males and 48 (42.1%) were females, with a mean age of 64.86±6.3 years. The ulcer healing rate was 61.4%. A previous history of deep vein thrombosis (RR: 5.4, p: 0.0001), increased ulcer size (RR: 4.9, p: 0.0001), longer ulcer duration before initiation of treatment (RR: 4.2, p: 0.0001), and non-adherence to compression therapy (RR: 3.5, p: 0.0001) were independent risk factors for delayed ulcer healing. Age and sex showed no effect on healing (p>0.05). The rates of delayed healing were higher in obese patients (75% vs. 25%, p: 0.03), but obesity was not an independent risk factor

Conclusion: The current study showed that healing of venous ulcers is associated with ulcer characteristics, chronicity as well as venous factors especially previous  DVT and non-adherence to compression therapy has a negative effect on healing.