A Comparison of the Efficacy and Cost of Different Venous Leg Ulcer Dressings: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Table 6

Some of the factors that affect wound healing [15].

Systemic factors which impair wound healing

Local factors which impair wound healing

Inadequate oxygenation; Increased BMI; Increased age; Sex hormones: aged males have been shown to have delayed healing; Psychosocial stress causing delayed healing; Comorbidities, heart disease, TIA, and diabetes; Glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and NSAIDs; Chemotherapy and anticoagulants; Alcohol consumption impairing wound healing; Smoking impairing wound healing; Deficiency of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins A, B, and C, iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium

Infection and pus; Necrotic tissue and foreign bodies; Dry wound; Mechanical stress on wound; Cold environmental temperature; Local oxygenation: this is decreased in peripheral vascular disease, previous radiation, inflammation, and diabetes mellitus