title: [Hypertensive leg ulcers: epidemiological characteristics and prognostic factors for healing in a prospective cohort].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The data concerning changes in the characteristics of hypertensive leg ulcers (HLU) were taken from open studies in a small patient cohort. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics and to identify prognostic factors for healing in a prospective cohort of 59 patients presenting HLU.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cohort comprised patients included in a randomized, double-blind, controlled study published elsewhere; the patients were receiving becaplermin gel (Regranex(®)) or Duoderm Hydrogel™ once daily for eight weeks for the most recent wound. Total follow-up was 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The epidemiological analysis was performed for 59 consecutive patients randomized in 17 dermatology departments. Mean patient age was 74.5 ± 9 years and 61% were female. Mean wound duration was 11.1 ± 9 weeks and median wound area was 16 cm(2) (q1; q3: 8; 25.5). Among, 94.9% of patients had hypertension and 39.7% were diabetic. A homolateral peripheral pulse was present in 91.5% of patients. At the end of follow-up, complete wound healing was obtained in 30.5% of the patients. In univariate analysis, neither the foregoing criteria nor the treatment group were significantly associated with healing during the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms female predominance, old age, prevalence of diabetes and delay in the diagnosis of HLU. The prognosis for healing does not appear to be dependent on wound duration, wound area or the presence of moderate peripheral arterial disease, doubtless because this condition progresses by episodes of flare-up and under specific conditions.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie, UF de Dermatologie Vasculaire, Hôpital Tenon, 4, Rue de la Chine, 75970 Paris cedex 20, France. patricia.senet@tnn.aphp.fr
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Senet
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Beneton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Debure
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Modiano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bedane
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Truchetet
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fays-Bouchon
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicaut
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chosidow
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077214:Becaplermin; D002921:Cicatrix; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D000077214:Becaplermin