The effectiveness of a four-layer compression bandage system in comparison with Class 3 compression hosiery on healing and quality of life in patients with venous leg ulcers: A randomised controlled trial
Finlayson, Kathleen Courtney, Mary Denise Gibb, Michelle O'Brien, Jane Parker, Christina Edwards, Helen
Finlayson, Kathleen
Courtney, Mary Denise
Gibb, Michelle
O'Brien, Jane
Parker, Christina
Edwards, Helen
Abstract
An increasing number of compression systems available for treatment of venous leg ulcers and limited evidence on the relative effectiveness of these systems are available. The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of a four‐layer compression bandage system and Class 3 compression hosiery on healing and quality of life (QL) in patients with venous leg ulcers. Data were collected from 103 participants on demographics, health, ulcer status, treatments, pain, depression and QL for 24 weeks. After 24 weeks, 86% of the four‐layer bandage group and 77% of the hosiery group were healed (P = 0·24). Median time to healing for the bandage group was 10 weeks, in comparison with 14 weeks for the hosiery group (P = 0·018). The Cox proportional hazards regression found participants in the four‐layer system were 2·1 times (95% CI 1·2–3·5) more likely to heal than those in hosiery, while longer ulcer duration, larger ulcer area and higher depression scores significantly delayed healing. No differences between groups were found in QL or pain measures. Findings indicate that these systems were equally effective in healing patients by 24 weeks; however, a four‐layer system may produce a more rapid response.
Keywords
Date
2014
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Wound Journal
Book
Volume
11
Issue
1
Page Range
21-27
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences