Chronic venous leg ulcer treatment: Future research needs

Gerald Lazarus, M. Fran Valle, Mahmoud Malas, Umair Qazi, Nisa M. Maruthur, David Doggett, Oluwakemi A. Fawole, Eric B. Bass, Jonathan Zenilman

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

The prevalence and costs of chronic venous ulcer care in the US are increasing. The Johns Hopkins University Evidence-Based Practice Center recently completed a systematic review of the comparative effectiveness of advanced wound dressings, antibiotics, and surgical management of chronic venous ulcers. Of 10,066 citations identified in the literature search, only 66 (0.06%) met our liberal inclusion criteria for providing evidence on the effectiveness of interventions for chronic venous ulcers. Based on review of those studies, members of our team and a panel of informed stakeholders identified important research gaps and methodological deficiencies and prioritized specific future research needs. Based on that review, we provide the results of our assessment of future research needs for chronic venous ulcer care. Advanced wound dressings were considered to have the highest priority for future research, followed by venous surgery and antibiotics. An imperative from our assessment is that future research evaluating interventions for chronic venous ulcers meet quality standards. In a time of increasing cost pressure, the wound care community needs to develop high-quality evidence to justify the use of present and future therapeutic modalities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)34-42
Number of pages9
JournalWound Repair and Regeneration
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Dermatology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Chronic venous leg ulcer treatment: Future research needs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this