A systematic review of economic evaluations assessing interventions aimed at preventing or treating pressure ulcers.

Background: Pressure ulcers have an adverse impact on patients and can also result in additional costs and workload for healthcare providers. Interventions to prevent pressure ulcers are focused on identifying at risk patients and using systems such as mattresses and turning to relieve pressure. Treatments for pressure ulcers are directed towards promoting wound healing and symptom relief.

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: An abnormal dilatation of the abdominal aorta is referred to as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Due to the risk of rupture, surgical repair is offered electively to individuals with aneurysms greater than 5.5 cm in size.

Surgery for varicose veins: use of tourniquet.

Background: Varicose vein surgery is a common surgical procedure but there is no consensus regarding the best surgical technique. The use of tourniquets during varicose vein surgery has been advocated as a means of reducing the potential for blood loss during the operation.

Objectives: To identify whether the use of a tourniquet should be recommended when undertaking surgery for the management of primary varicose veins.

A systematic review of health-related quality of life instruments used for people with venous ulcers: an assessment of their suitability and psychometric properties.

Aims And Objectives: To review the quality of life questionnaires used to measure the impact of venous ulceration and to evaluate their psychometric properties.

Background: Venous leg ulcers have a negative impact on quality of life. Health-related quality of life can be measured using structured questionnaires.

Impact of intravenous drug use on quality of life for patients with venous ulcers.

Aim: This paper is a report of a study to examine, from the perspective of patients, the impact of venous leg ulcers on health-related quality of life in current and former intravenous drug users and the general population.

Background: Venous ulceration can be caused by intravenous drug use. There has been little examination on how this affects the quality of life of this group of patients and how they compare with other patients who have venous ulcers.

Varicose veins: a qualitative study to explore expectations and reasons for seeking treatment.

Background: Patients experience a wide range of symptoms from varicose veins and are seeking treatment from health care providers. However, there is little data on the relative effectiveness of the treatments available. Patients are therefore often confronted with a choice regarding treatment that they are ill-equipped to make.