Venous ulceration is the most common type of leg ulceration encountered in dermatological practice. The natural history of the disease is of a continuous cycle of healing and recurrence and thus associated with considerable morbidity and impaired quality of life. Several treatments and approaches exist to treat and manage venous leg ulcers. However, responses and healing rates vary, and determination of the right treatment in a given case is often difficult. Importantly, the subject has not received its due attention in dermatology literature in India.
These facts emphasize and highlight the need for an updated evidence-based guideline to support practice. This understanding lead the therapeutic guidelines committee and special interest group (SIG) on leg ulcers of Indian Association of Dermatologists Venereologists and Leprologists to draft standard guidelines of care on venous leg ulcers. These guidelines provide evidence based recommendations on the management of venous leg ulcers and examines assessment, treatment and the prevention of recurrence in the Indian situation.
The guide lines have adopted the following system for evidence qualification:
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
- Level A: Strong research-based evidence; multiple, relevant, high-quality scientific studies with homogeneous results
- Level B: Moderate research-based evidence; at least one relevant, high-quality study or multiple adequate studies
- Level C: Limited research-based evidence; at least one adequate scientific study
- Level D: Isolated case reports/observations
- Level E: No published data-SIG expert opinion.
Since there are very few studies available in India this guideline is based on studies available from all parts of the world. However, the authors have strived hard to make them relevant to the Indian situation.
The editors and authors earnestly hope that these guidelines will lead to enhanced patient care and act as a relevant guide to our practicing dermatologists.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We gratefully acknowledge the following members of SIG leg ulcers who also served as authors of these guidelines:
- Dr. Sunil Dogra
- Dr. Imran Majid
- Dr. Vishalakshi Vishwanath
- Dr. Nilendu Sarma
- Dr. Biju Vasudevan
- Dr. Brijesh Nair
- Dr. Laxmisha Chandrashekar
- Dr. Manjunath Shenoy M
We gratefully acknowledge the following members of Therapeutic Guidelines Committee who reviewed the articles and contributed important suggestions leading to enhancement of the content.
- Dr. VInay Saraf
- Dr. Satish Pai
- Dr. Lalith Gupta
- Dr. D. S. Krupa Shankar
We also gratefully acknowledge the support of following IADVL officials:
- Dr. C. R. Sreenivas President IADVL 2011-12
- Dr. Suresh Talwar President IADVL 2012-13
- Dr. Deepak parikh President IADVL 2013-2014
- Dr. P. Narasimha rao Hon Gen Secretary IADVL 2011-13Dr
- Dr. Rashmi Sarkar Hon Gen Secretary IADVL 2014-16
- Drs. Arun Inamdar Chairman and Shyamantha Barua Convenor, IADVL Academy 2011-13
- Drs. Manas Chatterjee Chairman and Ameet Valia, Convenor, IADVL Academy 2011-13
We thank the Hon Editor in Chief IDOJ Dr. Shyam Verma, all the referees and editorial staff of IDOJ for their continuous support during the preparation of the articles.
Source of Support: Nil
Conflict of Interest: Nil.
