EPIDEMIOLOGY OF LOWER-LIMB ULCERS: STUDY OF OUTPATIENT DURING 2013-2014 IN ARGENTINA

CHAVEZ JARA, ROMINA; LAZARTE MARIA DE LOS ANGELES; CERUSICO, NICOLAS ABEL; CABRERA CARLA AGOSTINA; NATALIA MALDONADO; MALDONADO JAVIER; MORENO MARIA JULIETA; SESTO CABRAL M. EUGENIA; ALBERTO NICOLÁS RAMOS VERNIERI

Buenos aires

Congreso; Reunión conjunta de sociedades de biociencias; 2017

Sociedad de Biociencias

Lower-limb ulcer (LLU) affects approximately 1% of the population around the world and is a serious problem for patients, professionals and health systems. In Latin America (especially in Argentina) this is an undervalued problem due the lack of epidemiological studies. The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge about this problem in the North-West Region of Argentina.Materials and Methods:A retrospective study of 640 outpatient medical records with ICD-10 codes related to LLU that were treated at A. Padilla Hospital, Tucumán, Argentina, during the period 2013-2014 was conducted. This study was approved by the SIPROSA Bioethics Committee and the Hospital Teaching and Research Committee. There was collected information about patients (age, sex, city, educational status, employment status, etc.), data of the ulcer (type, quantity, location, evolution, microbiology, treatments, etc.) and other epidemiological data.Results: Frequencies, incidence, prevalence, clinical and dermatological associations, and therapeutic effectiveness were determined. This allowed us to evaluate the situation of LLU in our region. Statistical analyses were performed using standard statistical program, and the results were compared with similar studies published around world. Diabetic foot (55%)was the most frequently ulcer type, followed by venous (17%) and mixed (15%) ulcers. 30% of the patients were amputated (17% two or more times), mainly due to unresolved infection.Conclusion: This study allows us to evaluate the severity of the problem and to find new opportunities for therapeutic improvement, reduction of associated costs, optimization of hospital funds administration and the design of public policies based on real knowledge of the problem.