ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Acta Phlebologica 2012 August;13(2):101-3

Copyright © 2012 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Epidemiology and healing of vascular ulcers in Italy. Preview of the SUV study results (AIUC September 2012): short report

Apollonio A. ¹, Antignani P. L. ², Di Salvo M. ³, Failla G. ³, Guarnera G. ⁴, Mosti G. ⁵, Ricci E. ⁶

¹ Belcolle Hospital, Viterbo, Italy; ² San Giovanni Hospital, Rome, Italy; ³ Vittorio Emanuele Hospital, Catania, Italy; ⁴ Immacolata Dermopathic Institute, Rome, Italy; ⁵ Barbantini Clinic, Lucca, Italy; ⁶ Casa di Cura San Luca, Turin, Italy

From 2010 to 2011 a multicenter observational epidemiological study for focusing the state of vascular ulcers (venous, mixed, arterial and diabetic) of the lower limbs in Italy, was performed. The study, named SUV (Studio Ulcere Vascolari), was promoted by AIUC, and it concluded observing 1,163 patients in 58 centers throughout Italy. The first data analyzed show a slight predominance of female patients (62%) with a mean age of approximately 70 years old, with a high rate of arterial hypertension’s comorbidity (63.2%) and with prevalence of ulcers with venous or mixed (arterial-venous) etiology (about 80%). The healings observed at 3 months after start of treatment vary depending on the type of ulcer treated. The healing ratio ranging from 41% in the case of venous ulcers to 26% of those combined etiology. In the case of venous ulcers, the association of drug therapy (sulodexide) and local (compressive) therapy shows a significant increase in the incidence of healing compared to using only local therapy, confirming the importance of combination therapy.