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Biomedical subjects

C J Moffatt

Publications and source records attributed to C J Moffatt.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Factors associated with healing leg ulceration with high compression.

To investigate factors relevant to the healing of leg ulceration by high compression, patients were interviewed using a standard questionnaire prior to treatment with a four-layer bandage high-compression system in six community ulcer clinics. We explored the relation of size, ulcer duration and medical history to healing. Cumulative healing rates were high using this method, being 69% after 12 weeks and 83% after 24 weeks. Twelve-week healing rates varied slightly between clinics, ranging from 62% to 83%. Univariate analysis of the total group showed that male sex (RR = 0.77, p = 0.023), poor limb joint mobility (RR = 0.39, p < 0.001), poor general mobility (RR = 0.49, p = 0.015), treatment at home (RR = 0.52, p < 0.001), ulcer size > 10 cm2 (RR = 0.37, p < 0.001), history of deep vein thrombosis (RR = 0.67, p = 0.016) and ulcer duration >6 months (RR = 0.35, p < 0.001) were significantly inversely associated with healing, Ulcer size, duration, limb joint mobility and general mobility were significant independent factors in multivariate analysis.

Adult↗

Risk factors for leg ulcer recurrence: a randomized trial of two types of compression stocking.

Patients with recently healed leg ulceration were entered into a study of leg ulcer recurrence. In all, 188 patients [69% women, mean age = 72 (SD = 12) years] were entered into the study, of whom 166 were considered suitable for ready-made stockings and were randomized to one of two class II below-knee compression stockings and followed for at least 18 months. The remaining patients required either made-to-measure stockings (5) or could not tolerate stockings owing to friable skin and were treated by other methods (17). Overall cumulative recurrence rate was 26% after 1 year and 31% at 18 months. Independent risk factors for (RR = 2.34, p = 0.021) and unsuitability for stockings (RR = 2.52, p = 0.013). The randomized groups had similar stockings, 25 (15%) could not put their stockings on at all and 43 (26%) were only able to put them on with great difficulty. The two stocking types differed significantly in this regard when analysed for trend.

Aged↗

Venous ulcer healing: effect of socioeconomic factors in London.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which social and clinical factors are associated with healing in patients with venous ulceration. DESIGN: Patients were questioned about social factors at their first visit to a community ulcer clinic. They were treated by high compression bandage system and were interviewed again after 12 weeks. SETTING: Community leg ulcer clinics held in health centres throughout Riverside Health Authority in London. PATIENTS: All patients referred to five community leg ulcer clinics with venous ulceration over a six month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: These were factors significantly associated with healing within 12 weeks of beginning treatment, measured by odds ratio (OR) given by logistic regression analysis. MAIN RESULTS: Of 168 patients with venous ulceration, 87 (52%) healed after 12 weeks of treatment. Univariate analysis showed that low social class (OR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.17, 10.14), lack of central heating (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.18, 4.18), and being single (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.15, 6.69) were all significantly associated with delayed healing. After adjustment for the known risk factors of ulcer size, ulcer duration, and general mobility only lack of central heating was still significant (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.11, 4.55). The remaining factors failing to achieve statistical significance because of their inter-relationship with the known risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical features of the ulcer seem to determine the progress of healing in patients with leg ulceration. Although there were associations between socio-economic factors and poor healing, adjustment for clinical risk factors generally led to lower non-significant associations. Only lack of central heating retained its association and may play a part in prolonging healing of venous ulceration.

Aged↗

A model for change in delivering community leg ulcer care.

Leg ulcer care has largely been provided by community nursing staff in the UK. However, the treatment of leg ulcers has been accompanied by high cost and poor healing rates. As part of an initiative in a single district of the UK, six community leg ulcer clinics were established and a system of audits implemented to monitor their progress over two years. Improvements were demonstrated in the success of the patient referral system, correct assessment of patients with significant arterial leg disease, effective use of dressings, follow-up to prevent ulcer recurrence, improved nursing education in leg ulcer care, vastly improved healing rates during the first twelve weeks of treatment compared to patients in a pre-study audit, reduced pain and increase in the ability of patients to perform activities inside and outside the home, and a cost reduction from an estimated $680,000 per annum to $250,000 in the study district. The model of care implemented in these community clinics can be adapted to other communities. Priority must be given to auditing outcomes and changes to ensure that the most effective care is delivered in each community.

Aftercare↗

Venous leg ulceration: treatment by high compression bandaging.

Venous leg ulceration is a major tissue viability problem that is becoming better recognized as clinical wound care practice changes from being anecdotal-based to research-based. The current prevalence of leg ulceration in the UK, Sweden and Australia is approximately 1 percent of the adult population, and approximately half a million in the United States. Between 70 and 90 percent of leg ulcers in the UK are venous in origin. Research has shown that graduated compression bandaging is an appropriate method of managing venous leg ulceration for many patients. Since Stemmer's work showing the usefulness of higher levels of external pressure (40 mmHg), the reliability and predictability of the four layer high compression bandaging system has been demonstrated. The purpose of this article is to introduce the extent of the venous leg ulceration problem, discuss risk factors and other aspects of venous leg ulceration, support the use of graduated compression, and describe the four layer high compression bandage system. The success of the four layer system is linked to the wider issues of using a research-based approach to the assessment and management of venous leg ulcers, and such an approach is integral to cost-effective, high quality patient care.

Bandages↗

A pioneering service to the community. The Riverside Community Leg Ulcer Project.

1. Leg ulceration is an extensive problem that is often poorly managed. 2. Research-based treatment of leg ulceration results in rapid improvements in healing rates. 3. A systematic, multidisciplinary approach optimises the effectiveness of services. 4. Effective services must be underpinned by comprehensive training programmes.

Community Health Nursing↗

Community clinics for leg ulcers and impact on healing.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of community clinics for leg ulcers. DESIGN: All patients with leg ulceration were invited to community clinics that offered treatment developed in a hospital research clinic. Patients without serious arterial disease (Doppler ankle/brachial index > 0.8) were treated with a high compression bandage of four layers. SETTING: Six community clinics held in health centres in Riverside District Health Authority supported by the Charing Cross vascular surgical service. PATIENTS: All patients referred to the community services with leg ulceration, irrespective of cause and duration of ulceration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to complete healing by the life table method. RESULTS: 550 ulcerated legs were seen in 475 patients of mean (SD) age 73.8 (11.9) years. There were 477 venous ulcers of median size 4.2 cm2 (range 0.1-117 cm2), 128 being larger than 10 cm2. These ulcers had been present for a median of three months (range one week to 63 years) with 150 present for over one year. Four layer bandaging in the community clinics achieved complete healing in 318 (69%) venous ulcers by 12 weeks and 375 (83%) by 24 weeks. There were 56 patients with an ankle/brachial arterial pressure index < 0.8, indicating arterial disease. The 50 patients with pressure index < 0.8 > 0.5 were treated with reduced compression, and 24 (56%) healed by 12 weeks and 31 (75%) by 24 weeks. The figures for overall healing for all leg ulcers were 351/550 (67%) at 12 weeks and 417/550 (81%) at 24 weeks, compared with only 11/51 (22%) at 12 weeks before the community clinics were set up. CONCLUSIONS: Community clinics for venous ulcers offer an effective means of achieving healing in most patients with leg ulcers.

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Prevalence of venous disease: a community study in west London.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence of venous disease in patients aged between 35 and 70 years. DESIGN: Self-administered questionnaire. SETTING: Community study in west London, England. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 2,103 patients aged between 35 and 70 years who were registered with three general practices. RESULTS: 1,338 (64%) subjects filled in the questionnaires. Of these, 323/1,303 (25%) said that they had varicose veins, 81/1,338 (6%) had a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and 52/1,336 (5%) said that they had had phlebitis. In addition, 94/1,326 (7%) had worn support stockings, and 84/1,304 (6%) had been treated with anticoagulants at some time; 31% of responders reported that they had had some form of venous disease. CONCLUSIONS: Increased age and female sex were independent risk factors for varicose veins and phlebitis. Thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were both significantly associated with the presence of diabetes, female sex, and increased age. The facts that a quarter of the sample had varicose veins, and that nearly a third had had venous disease of some kind at some time, suggest that venous disease may place a heavier burden on health resources than had been realised.

Adult↗

A questionnaire to assess risk factors, quality of life, and use of health resources in patients with venous disease.

OBJECTIVE: To test the accuracy and usefulness of a questionnaire to assess risk factors and symptoms of venous disease, quality of life, and dependence on health and social services. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Multicentre study in three general practices. SUBJECTS: Patients drawn from a larger investigation of prevalence of venous disease. RESULTS: Patients who had venous disease were taller and heavier and had spent more time standing at work than those who did not. It was strongly associated with both number of pregnancies and number of children. There were weak but not significant associations with the wearing of a corset, constipation, and a family history of venous problems. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire was able to pick out recognised risk factors, and is suitable for use in studies of patients with venous disorders. It may also provide information about factors that have not yet been accepted. The case-control study is an appropriate way of assessing not only risk factors, but also signs and symptoms, quality of life, and use of health resources in patients with venous disease.

Case-Control Studies↗

Assessing community nurses' level of knowledge of lymphoedema.

As part of a major project to develop a primary care trust-based framework of lymphoedema management, the educational needs of community nurses regarding the care of patients with lymphoedema were assessed using focus groups and questionnaires. Community nurses assessed their current knowledge and skill in the care and management of patients with lymphoedema as adequate or poor. They were concerned about their lack of knowledge and skill and were uncertain regarding their role relative to other professions involved in the care of this patient group. At the same time they understood the importance of their role in providing ongoing care, recognizing problems, offering sound advice and referring on to a specialist practitioner when necessary. Any education provision that prepares community nurses for their role within a framework of lymphoedema management should emphasize the important place they occupy in providing long-term care for this patient group.

Clinical Competence↗