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Assessment and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers
Interpretation of Evidence
This RNAO guideline is a synthesis of a number of source guidelines. In order to fully
inform the reader, every effort has been made to maintain the original level of evidence
cited in the source document. No alterations have been made to the wording of the
source documents involving recommendations based on randomized controlled trials or
research studies. Where a source document has demonstrated an “expert opinion” level
of evidence, wording may have been altered and the notation of RNAO Consensus Panel
2004 has been added.
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In the guidelines reviewed, the panel assigned each recommendation a rating of A, B, or
C level of evidence (LOE), to indicate the strength of the evidence supporting the
recommendation. It is important to clarify that these ratings represent the strength of
the supporting research evidence to date.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE A: Evidence obtained from at least one randomized controlled trial or
meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE B: Evidence from well designed clinical studies but no randomized
controlled trials.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE C: Evidence from expert committee reports or opinion and/or clinical
experience or respected authorities. Indicates absence of directly applicable studies of
good quality.