title: The pernicious cycle of VLUs in Brazil: epidemiology, pathogeny and auxiliary healing methods.
abstract: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) represent the most advanced stage of chronic venous insufficiency. Despite the large body of knowledge available regarding the risk factors and aetiopathogeny of the condition, patients referred to public health care systems in developing countries often do not receive adequate diagnosis or early treatment, leading to clinical evolution and disease recurrence. This review collates updated information about the epidemiology, risk factors, aetiopathogeny, diagnosis, ulcer healing methods and determinant factors of the pernicious cycle of VLUs in developing countries, with a focus on the Brazilian setting.
authors.affiliation: Pontifical University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. ilyaraujo@uol.com.br
authors.forename: I C F
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: de Araújo
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: L P F
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Abbade
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Deffune
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods*; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology