A clinico-epidemiological profile of non-healing wounds in an Indian hospital

Abstract

One hundred patients with non-healing wounds of more than six weeks' duration were studied for clinico-epidemiological factors and their correlation with healing time. The majority of subjects were aged 30-59 years; those aged 50 and over had significantly delayed healing. Most of the subjects were farmers and physical labourers. Leprosy was the most common cause of non-healing wounds, followed by diabetes, trauma and venous ulcers; the lower limbs were the most common site of involvement. Diabetic wounds were more common in those aged 40 years and above. Diabetic wounds were slower to heal than others. The time to healing was calculated from the day subjects received treatment advice at the wound clinic. Seventy-five of the study group were included for calculation of healing time. The others were lost to follow-up or excluded for other reasons.