Abstract
The term chronic wound does not refer to duration over time, but rather describes a wound that is physiologically impaired. All venous, pressure, and diabetic foot ulcers are defined as chronic wounds. Elderly patients are more likely to experience venous and pressure ulcers,1-4 which lead to more than half of all lower extremity amputations in persons with diabetes. 5 Chronic wounds heal at the same frequency of closure in elderly populations as they do in younger populations, but may heal at a slower rate, primarily because of comorbidities associated with age.6-9 The comorbidities that delay healing are prevalent among older populations and include venous insufficiency and diabetes. Although there are age-related changes to the skin, it has yet to be shown, clinically, that age alone decreases an elderly person's ability to heal.7,10,11 A synergistic effect of advanced age and diabetes significantly slows healing.12
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Geriatric Anesthesiology |
Publisher | Springer New York |
Pages | 165-178 |
Number of pages | 14 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780387725260 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine