FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HEALING LEG ULCERATION WITH HIGH COMPRESSION

To investigate factors relevant to the healing of leg ulceration by hi gh compression, patients were interviewed using a standard questionnai re prior to treatment with a four-layer bandage high-compression syste m in six community ulcer clinics, We explored the relation of size, ul cer duration and medical history to healing. Cumulative healing rates were high using this method, being 69% after 12 weeks and 83% after 24 weeks. Twelve-week healing rates varied slightly between clinics, ran ging from 62% to 83%. Univariate analysis of the total group showed th at male sex (RR = 0.77, p = 0.023), poor limb joint mobility (RR = 0.3 9, p < 0.001), poor general mobility (RR = 0.49, p = 0.015), treatment at home (RR = 0.52, p < 0.001), ulcer size > 10 cm(2) (RR = 0.37, p < 0.001), history of deep vein thrombosis (RR = 0.67, p = 0.016) and ul cer duration > 6 months (RR = 0.35, p < 0.001) were significantly inve rsely associated with healing. Ulcer size, duration, limb joint mobili ty and general mobility were significant independent factors in multiv ariate analysis.