Etiology of Chronic Leg Ulcers in a Dermatologic Wound Clinic: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Chronic leg ulcers affect approximately 1% to 2% of the European population, with an increasing prevalence. The treatment of chronic wounds is a socioeconomical problem worldwide.

Purpose: The main purpose of the current investigation was to detect the etiology of leg ulcers treated in a dermatologic wound clinic from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019.

Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed at the Dermatologic Clinic of Spedali Civili in Brescia, Italy. The authors enrolled 465 patients with chronic leg ulcers.

Results: The 3 most represented causes of ulcers were vascular (238 patients, 51.2%), inflammatory (71 patients, 15.3%) and traumatic (43 patients, 9.3%). Altogether, a total of 13 different entities were identified as a cause of leg ulcer.

Conclusion: Vascular genesis was the most common etiology of leg ulcers in this population, even though uncommon causes were also represented. These findings are in agreement with other studies reported in the literature.