Barber GA, Weller CD, Gibson SJ, et al.
Journal of advanced nursing. Date of publication 2018 Apr 1;volume 74(4):774-787.
1. J Adv Nurs. 2018 Apr;74(4):774-787. doi: 10.1111/jan.13474. Epub 2017 Nov 9.
Effects and associations of nutrition in patients with venous leg ulcers: A
systematic review.
Barber GA(1)(2), Weller CD(1), Gibson SJ(3).
Author information:
(1)Faculty Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Nursing and
Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
(2)School of Clinical Sciences, Department Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash
University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
(3)Faculty Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences,
Department Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, Vic.,
Australia.
AIMS: To identify the associations and effects of nutritional characteristics and
interventions on ulcer outcomes in adult patients with venous leg ulcers.
BACKGROUND: Venous leg ulcers are the most prevalent type of lower limb ulcer;
however, little evidence exists regarding the relationship between nutritional
status and ulcer healing.
DESIGN: A systematic search of English language articles was conducted using the
Cochrane Collaboration Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.
DATA SOURCES: A search of databases Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL and
Scopus was performed for studies published between January 2004 - May 2017.
REVIEW METHODS: Quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane
Collaboration's Risk of Bias Assessment tool and the relevant Joanna Briggs
Institute quality appraisal checklists.
RESULTS: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. All participants had Clinical
Aetiology Anatomy Pathophysiology classification C5 (healed) or C6 (active)
ulcers. Studies were conducted in a range of clinical settings with relatively
small sample sizes. The majority of patients were overweight or obese. Increased
body mass index was associated with delayed wound healing. Vitamin D, folic acid
and flavonoids were associated with some beneficial effects on ulcer healing.
Dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C and zinc were low for some
patients.
CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that venous leg ulcer patients are more
likely to be overweight or obese. However, evidence for weight management
improving wound healing is lacking. Micronutrients, including vitamin D and folic
acid, may improve wound healing in at-risk patients.
© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
DOI: 10.1111/jan.13474
PMID: 28985441 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
