Clinical Implications of Genetic Variations of Venous Stasis Ulceration

A blood specimen will be drawn, medical and medication history taken, and wound/s will be assessed and followed for 2 years in regard to the enrollees w/active venous ulcer/s or healed venous ulcer/s.

A venous duplex ultrasound of right and left lower extremities will be done at no cost, a blood specimen will be drawn, and medical and medication history will be taken in regard to control group enrollees.

Group 1-Active venous ulcer (CEAP 6) & Group 2-Healed venous ulcer (CEAP 5)

Inclusion criteria

• >/=18y.o.
• active venous ulcer (CEAP 6)
• healed venous ulcer (CEAP 5)

Exclusion criteria

• <18 y.o.
• inability to comply w/compression therapy
• Inability to maintain f/u schedule
• ABI (ankle-brachial index) < 0.5 if pedal pulses are not palpable
• Inability to ambulate w/active ulcer (N/A for Group 2)
• Diabetic w/ABI <0.5
• Severe premorbid systemic disease such as pulmonary failure, heart failure, renal failure, or hepatic failure w/a life expectancy of <1 year
• Chronic steroid therapy Group 3-Controls

Inclusion criteria

• >/= 50y.o.
• no reported clinical symptoms of venous disease
• (CEAP 0 or 1)

Exclusion criteria

• <50y.o.
• ABI (ankle-brachial index) < 0.5 if pedal pulses are not palpable
• Diabetic w/ABI < 0.5
• Severe premorbid systemic disease such as pulmonary failure, heart failure, renal failure, or hepatic failure w/a life expectancy of <1 year
• Chronic steroid therapy