[Nutritional status assessment of patients with leg ulcers].
BACKGROUND
Nutritional deficiencies may delay the wound healing process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of protein malnutrition in patients presenting with a leg ulcers and to determine which clinical data can predict malnutrition on population.


METHODS
This prospective survey included community patients, hospitalized in rehabilitation care unit for treatment of a leg ulcer unhealed for at least 3 months. Clinical, anthropometric and biological data were collected on admission.


RESULTS
Sixty-six patients, mean age 72.9 +/- 16.3 years, were included. Fifty-three p. 100 presented wound surfaces over 30 cm(2); 59 p. 100 of the ulcers had lasted for more than one year; 62 p. 100 of the ulcers were venous. 48.5 p. 100 of the patients exhibited protein malnutrition defined by biological criteria, associated with an inflammatory syndrome in 66 p. 100. Anemia and an inflammatory syndrome were present in respectively 59 and 58 p. 100 of the patients. Neither anthropometric measurements nor nutritional intake or wound characteristics significantly differenced between patients with malnutrition or not. Hypoalbuminemia was significantly more frequent and severe in patients aged over 70.


CONCLUSIONS
Protein malnutrition prevalence is very high in patients with leg ulcers, particularly in the elderly. Since nutritional interview or clinical data failed to predict protein malnutrition, systematic biological assessment is justified in all patients with leg ulcers.
Senet
P
P
Service de Gérontologie V, Pavillon de l'Orbe, Hôpital Charles Foix, 94205 Ivry-sur-Seine Cedex, France. patricia.senet@cfx.ap-hop-paris.fr
Meaume
S
S
Gouronnec
A
A
Lecoz
D
D
Debure
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology
Evaluation du statut nutritionnel des malades atteints d'ulcères de jambe.