title: Meta-analytic approaches to determine gender differences for delayed healing in venous leg ulcers.
abstract: Objective The aim of this analysis was to perform a meta-analysis evaluating gender difference of delayed healing risk in patients with venous leg ulcers. Methods We searched the PubMed and Web of Knowledge from their inception to 4 July 2015. The meta-analysis of pooled odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for venous leg ulcers healing risk were calculated. Results Twelve studies with 4453 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio for healing rate stratified by gender was 1.055 (95% CI 0.955-1.165; Z = 1.05, p = 0.292) by fix-effects model. The Begg's test (z = 2.67, p = 0.007), the Egger's test (t = 4.00, p = 0.003), and asymmetric funnel plot suggested there was significant publication bias. Subgroup analysis showed the pooled odds ratios were 1.048 (95% CI 0.945-1.162; Z = 0.88, p = 0.376) in prospective studies and 1.439 (95% CI 0.757-2.736; Z = 1.11, p = 0.266) in retrospective studies. Sensitivity analyses by only pooled adjusted odds ratios showed the pooled odds ratio was 1.049 (95% CI 0.946-1.163; Z = 0.91, p = 0.365), which indicated the results of meta-analysis were robust. Meta-regression analysis showed the healing rate odds ratio stratified by gender was not related with healing rate (t = 0.73, p = 0.484). Conclusion Our meta-analysis indicates that no gender difference existed for delayed healing in venous leg ulcers. Our results may be also useful in developing a risk score for failure of venous leg ulcers to heal.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of general surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, China PR.
authors.forename: Xiao-Lei
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: 2 Nantong University, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Hong-Lin
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: 2 Nantong University, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Fang-Fang
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D039781:PubMed; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Venous leg ulcer; delayed healing; gender difference; meta-analysis