Understanding leg ulceration associated with Intravenous drug use

Coull, Alison; Sharp, Ailsa

Abstract

Clinicians are reporting a rise in numbers of people with leg ulceration and a history of injecting drug use. These tend to be younger people with little co-morbidity. The ulceration may appear long after injecting has ceased and may be long-standing before an individual seeks help. The ulcers are often but not always, venous, and are closely associated with femoral injecting and a history of thrombosis in the limb. Assessment and management is similar to non-injectors, but there are usually differences in social circumstances that impact on care choices. Unfortunately there is a dearth of evidence related to leg ulceration in this population.

Citation

Coull, A., & Sharp, A. (2018). Understanding leg ulceration associated with Intravenous drug use. Nursing Times, 114(6), 31-34

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 16, 2018
• Online Publication Date: May 21, 2018
• Publication Date: May 21, 2018
• Deposit Date: May 8, 2018
• Journal: Nursing Times
• Print ISSN: 0954-7762
• Publisher: EMAP
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 114
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 31-34
• Keywords: Leg Ulcers, IVDU, People who inject drugs (PWID),
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1157496