title: Influence of aspirin therapy in the ulcer associated with chronic venous insufficiency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine the effect of aspirin on ulcer healing rate in patients with chronic venous insufficiency, and to establish prognostic factors that influence ulcer evolution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2001 and 2005, 78 patients with ulcerated lesions of diameter >2 cm and associated with chronic venous insufficiency were evaluated in our hospital. Of these, 51 patients (22 men, 29 women) with mean age of 60 years (range: 36-86) were included in a prospective randomized trial with a parallel control group. The treatment group received 300 mg of aspirin and the control group received no drug treatment; in both groups, healing was associated with standard compression therapy. During follow-up, held weekly in a blinded fashion, there was ulcer healing as well as cases of recurrence. Results were analyzed by intention-to-treat approach. Cure rate was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and the influence of prognostic factors was analyzed by applying the Cox proportional hazards model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the presence of gradual compression therapy, healing occurred more rapidly in patients receiving aspirin versus the control subjects (12 weeks in the treated group vs. 22 weeks in the control group), with a 46% reduction in healing time. The main prognostic factor was estimated initial area of injury (P = 0.032). Age, sex, systemic therapy, and infection showed little relevance to evolution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of aspirin daily dose of 300 mg shortens the healing time of ulcerated lesions in the chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The main prognostic factor for healing of venous ulcerated lesions is the initial surface area of the ulcer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain. mlriosol@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Ma Lourdes
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: del Río Solá
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antonio
authors.forename: González
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fajardo
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vaquero Puerta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D058128:Compression Bandages; D003646:Debridement; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D001241:Aspirin