Prognostic Models for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A Systematic Review

Overview

Journal J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord

Specialties Cardiology & Vascular Diseases
General Surgery

Date 2023 Sep 9

PMID 37689364

Authors

Vladica M Velickovic

Tom Macmillan

Jan Kottner

Amy Crompton

Isobel Munro

Abby Paine

Jelena Savovic

Tim Spelman

Michael Clark

Harm Jaap Smit

Hans Smola

Neil Webb

Ewout Steyerberg

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this review was to identify prognostic models for clinical application in patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs).

Methods: Literature searches were conducted in Embase, Medline, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases from inception to December 22, 2021. Eligible studies reported prognostic models aimed at developing, validating, and adjusting multivariable prognostic models that include multiple prognostic factors combined, and that predicted clinical outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the CHARMS checklist and PROBAST short form questionnaire.

Results: Thirteen studies were identified, of which three were validation studies of previously published models, four reported derivation and validation of models, and the remainder reported derivation models only. There was substantial heterogeneity in the model characteristics, including 11 studies focused on wound healing outcomes reporting 91 different predictors. Three studies shared similar predicted outcomes, follow-up timepoint and used a Cox proportional hazards model. However, these models reported different predictor selection methods and different predictors and it was therefore not feasible to summarize performance, such as discriminative ability.

Conclusions: There are no standout risk prediction models in the literature with promising clinical application for patients with VLUs. Future research should focus on developing and validating high-performing models in wider VLU populations.

Citing Articles

Improved Wound Healing by Direct Cold Atmospheric Plasma Once or Twice a Week: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers.

Bakker O, Smits P, van Weersch C, Quaaden M, Bruls E, van Loon A Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2024; 14(1):1-13.

PMID: 38687339 PMC: 11839521. DOI: 10.1089/wound.2023.0196.

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