Here - EWMA 2013

ORAL PRESENTATIONS
124
PROFILING OF MOISTURE STATUS IN VENOUS LEG ULCERS
Free Paper Session: Leg Ulcers III
Joshua Burke 1 , Mustafa Khanbhai 2 , Charles McCollum 2 , Patricia Connolly 3
1 University of Manchester (Manchester, United Kingdom);
2 Univeristy Hospital of South Manchester (Manchester, United Kingdom);
3 Univeristy of Strathclyde (Glasgow, United Kingdom).
Aim: The most important factors in the management of venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are leg
elevation and compression. However, moisture content and its role in VLU healing is not
known. The aim of this study was to assess wound moisture levels and to evaluate
correlation with ulcer healing.
Methods: Seven patients with VLUs were recruited over 21 days. VLUs were classified;
class A (healthy, healing) to class D (unhealthy, not healing). Ulcer moisture levels were
recorded bi-weekly using a novel, non-invasive wound moisture monitoring system
without disturbing compression regimes. Moisture status was recorded as; dry (1) to wet
(4). Healing rate (% change in ulcer size/week) was calculated using digital planimetry.
Results: Mean (+SEM) age was 72yrs (+ 4.3). 57% (n=4) of patients had completely
healed over the study period. Class A ulcer was 100% predictive of 100% granulation
and a ‘drop’ reading of 1. There was correlation between greater ulcer surface area and
higher moisture levels rs=0.4, p