Venous ulcers pose a serious health threat to over 2 millions Americans who suffer from them. It is critical to study individuals with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a known culprit of ulcers, in hopes of finding ways to prevent them. The purpose of this study is to measure skin temperature and tissue perfusion of both lower legs of older adults with CVI. The medial aspect of both lower legs above the malleolus (most vulnerable to ulceration) will be measured with an infrared thermometer to evaluate skin temperature and a laser Doppler flowmeter to evaluate tissue perfusion.
The aim i s to establish norm data and describe the correlation between skin temperature and tissue perfusion. The descriptive comparative study will compare skin temperature and tissue perfusion in a sample of 52 subjects (26 with CVI and 26 without CVI) at least 50 years of age recruited from various outpatient and community settings. Data will be analyzed using ANOVA and correlations. The findings of this study will add to the scant knowledge base regarding skin temperature and tissue perfusion of lower leg skin affected by CVI. The data will reveal whether these two """"""""vital signs,"""""""" particularly skin temperature, can be incorporated in a prediction/prevention model of lower leg complications. It is hypothesized that when skin temperature and perfusion are outside of a normal range (elevated), there may be an increased likelihood of ulcer development. The data obtained will be incorporated into an intervention protocol to prevent venous leg complications.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) (R15)
Project #
1R15NR008104-01A1
Application #
6666128
Study Section
Nursing Research Study Section (NURS)
Program Officer
Huss, Karen
Project Start
2003-09-30
Project End
2005-09-29
Budget Start
2003-09-30
Budget End
2005-09-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$139,986
Indirect Cost
Name
Medical University of South Carolina
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
183710748
City
Charleston
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29425
Kelechi, Teresa J; Neal, Diane E (2008) Skin perfusion pressure in chronic venous disorders. Adv Skin Wound Care 21:576-81
Kelechi, Teresa J; Michel, Yvonne (2007) A descriptive study of skin temperature, tissue perfusion, and tissue oxygen in patients with chronic venous disease. Biol Res Nurs 9:70-80