title: Risk factors for delayed healing in venous leg ulcers: a review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic leg ulcers, remaining unhealed after 4-6 weeks, affect 1-3% of the population, with treatment costly and health service resource intensive. Venous disease contributes to approximately 70% of all chronic leg ulcers and these ulcers are often associated with pain, reduced mobility and a decreased quality of life. Despite evidence-based care, 30% of these ulcers are unlikely to heal within a 24-week period and therefore the recognition and identification of risk factors for delayed healing of venous leg ulcers would be beneficial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the available evidence on risk factors for delayed healing of venous leg ulcers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the literature in regard to risk factors for delayed healing in venous leg ulcers was conducted from January 2000 to December 2013. Evidence was sourced through searches of relevant databases and websites for resources addressing risk factors for delayed healing in venous leg ulcers specifically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven studies, of mostly low-level evidence (Level III and IV), identified risk factors associated with delayed healing. Risk factors that were consistently identified included: larger ulcer area, longer ulcer duration, a previous history of ulceration, venous abnormalities and lack of high compression. Additional potential predictors with inconsistent or varying evidence to support their influence on delayed healing of venous leg ulcers included: decreased mobility and/or ankle range of movement, poor nutrition and increased age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this review indicate that a number of physiological risk factors are associated with delayed healing in venous leg ulcers and that social and/or psychological risk factors should also be considered and examined further.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings from this review can assist health professionals to identify prognostic indicators or risk factors significantly associated with delayed healing in venous leg ulcers. This will facilitate realistic outcome planning and inform implementation of appropriate early strategies to promote healing.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Finlayson
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shuter
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D004032:Diet; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*