The prevalence of venous leg ulcers (VLUs) is up to 2% of the population worldwide, rising to 5% in adults aged ≥65 years old.¹ Although VLUs can have a significant impact on quality of life and healthcare systems resources, they may be managed with effective diagnosis, classification and treatment.² When it comes to VLU care, Essity offer the full range of products to suit your patients’ individual needs, enabling them to live their lives to the fullest.
A VLU, or venous leg ulcer, is a break in the skin below the knee, that has not healed within 2 weeks, and that occurs in the presence of venous disease.²,³ This condition is considered chronic if the ulcer has not healed within 4 to 6 weeks.⁴ Among the different types of leg ulcers, such as diabetic foot ulcers and arterial ulcers, venous leg ulcers are the most common, making up 40-85% of all leg ulcers³ and affecting up to 2% of the global population.¹ As people with VLUs may present with repeated cycles of ulceration, healing and recurrence over many months, it is essential to ensure timely diagnosis, classification, treatment and management.⁵
When a patient has a VLU, their personal and social lives may be impacted by feelings of embarrassment, isolation, anxiety, and depression.¹,² Pain, exudate, skin maceration and odours may also be present.¹,²,⁷ In the long-term, patients may have ongoing concerns around consistent discomfort and pain, the risk of wound expansion or infection, and repeated visits to the clinic.²,⁸
Across Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, the direct medical costs of VLU management are estimated to be at least $10.7 billion each year.⁹
Furthermore, the cost of managing a patient with an unhealed VLU is 4.5 times more expensive than managing a patient with a healed VLU, emphasising the importance of effective early treatment.⁹
A range of risk factors are associated with VLU development. These may include:³,⁶
The cause of VLUs is prolonged venous insufficiency.¹⁰ VLUs form when blood flow in the lower leg is impaired, for example in damaged veins.¹⁰ Veins have a one-way valve that keeps blood flowing towards the heart. When these valves do not close properly, venous reflux occurs (where blood flows in the wrong direction). Venous reflux can cause an increase in pressure in the venous system, known as venous hypertension. Over time, prolonged venous hypertension can cause tissue damage leading to VLUs.¹⁰
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a severe form of chronic venous disease, characterised by skin changes and tissue breakdown. VLUs represent the most advanced form of chronic venous insufficiency.¹⁰
Learn more about our holistic therapeutic approach on VLUs.
