Factors associated with the occurrence of leg ulcers in people with sickle cell disease: A case-control study

Abstract

Aim

To identify factors associated with the occurrence of leg ulcers in people with sickle cell disease.

Methods

Unpaired case-control study, conducted in 11 specialized services, between August 2019 and April 2020. The convenience sample consisted of 262 people over 18 years of age, diagnosed with sickle cell disease, with 190 controls and 72 cases. To evaluate the possible factors associated with the occurrence of ulcers, both univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models were used.

Findings

The factors associated with the occurrence of leg ulcers were previously healed ulcers (odds ratio 48.48), presence of edema in the lower limbs (5.75), use of antibiotics in the last six months (3.08), daily rest (4.59), and use of compression stockings (6.24). Overweight (0.16), physical leisure (0.33), and domestic (0.37) activities were associated with a lower chance of occurrence of ulcers.

Conclusion

Identifying the factors that increase the likelihood of leg ulcers occurring in people with sickle cell disease adds to our knowledge of the subject, especially by determining factors that mitigate the occurrence of ulcers and that go beyond clinical variables.