Stanek A, Mosti G, Nematillaevich TS, Valesky EM, Planinšek Ručigaj T, Boucelma M, Marakomichelakis G, Liew A, Fazeli B, Catalano M, Patel M, et al.
Journal of clinical medicine. Date of publication 2023 Sep 23;volume 12(19):.
1. J Clin Med. 2023 Sep 23;12(19):6153. doi: 10.3390/jcm12196153.
No More Venous Ulcers-What More Can We Do?
Stanek A(1)(2)(3), Mosti G(3)(4), Nematillaevich TS(3)(5), Valesky EM(3)(6),
Planinšek Ručigaj T(3)(7), Boucelma M(3)(8), Marakomichelakis G(2)(3)(9), Liew
A(2)(3)(10), Fazeli B(2)(11), Catalano M(2)(3)(12), Patel M(2)(3)(13).
Author information:
(1)Department of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Faculty of
Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Batorego 15 Street,
41-902 Bytom, Poland.
(2)Vascular Independent Research and Education, European Foundation, 20157
Milan, Italy.
(3)VAS-International Consortium-International No More Venous Ulcers Strategic
Network, 20157 Milan, Italy.
(4)Angiology Department, MD Barbantini Clinic, Via del Calcio 2, 55100 Lucca,
Italy.
(5)Department of Specialized Surgery, Central Hospital of Ministry of Internal
Affairs, Chimboy St. 2 A, Almazar District, Tashkent 100095, Uzbekistan.
(6)Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital,
Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main,
Germany.
(7)Dermatovenereological Clinic, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Gradiskova
10 Street, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
(8)Department of Internal Medicine, University of Algiers, Bachir Mentouri
Hospital, Algiers 16208, Algeria.
(9)4th Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Evangelismos, 16676
Athens, Greece.
(10)Department of Medicine, Portiuncula University Hospital, University of
Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland.
(11)Support Association of Patients of Buerger's Disease, Buerger's Disease NGO,
Mashhad 9183785195, Iran.
(12)Department of Biomedical, Clinical Sciences L Sacco Hospital,
Inter-University Research Center on Vascular Disease, University of Milan, 20157
Milan, Italy.
(13)Department of Vascular Surgery, Apollo CVHF, Heart Institute, Ahmedabad
380059, India.
Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are the most severe complication caused by the
progression of chronic venous insufficiency. They account for approximately
70-90% of all chronic leg ulcers (CLUs). A total of 1% of the Western population
will suffer at some time in their lives from a VLU. Furthermore, most CLUs are
VLUs, defined as chronic leg wounds that show no tendency to heal after three
months of appropriate treatment or are still not fully healed at 12 months. The
essential feature of VLUs is their recurrence. VLUs also significantly impact
quality of life and could cause social isolation and depression. They also have
a significant avoidable economic burden. It is estimated that the treatment of
venous ulceration accounts for around 3% of the total expenditure on healthcare.
A VLU-free world is a highly desirable aim but could be challenging to achieve
with the current knowledge of the pathophysiology and diagnostic and
therapeutical protocols. To decrease the incidence of VLUs, the long-term goal
must be to identify high-risk patients at an early stage of chronic venous
disease and initiate appropriate preventive measures. This review discusses the
epidemiology, socioeconomic burden, pathophysiology, diagnosis, modes of
conservative and invasive treatment, and prevention of VLUs.
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196153
PMCID: PMC10573394
PMID: 37834797
Conflict of interest statement: G.M. (Giovanni Mosti), T.S.N., E.V., T.P.R.,
M.B., G.M. (George Marakomichelakis), A.L., B.F., M.C. and M.P. declare no
conflict of interest; A.S.—Honoraria for lectures at symposia: Alfasigma, Bayer,
Phizer.
