On 20 September, the URGO Foundation continued its mission, launched in Singapore in 2024, to increase the knowledge of local healthcare professionals on venous leg ulcers (VLUs).
Scientists are calling for action
Global[1] studies have shown that between 50% and 70% of patients will develop more than one venous leg ulcer in their lifetime. This highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis of venous disease and a better understanding of the progression of ulcer, and underlying pathophysiology, in order to prevent recurrence.
A study[2] conducted on the incidence of chronic wounds in Singapore, showed that the median age of patients was 74, with 51% being male, and that the incidence increases with an ageing population. Although the number of patients suffering from venous leg ulcers is relatively low (15 per 100,000), recurrence is common and recovery takes a long time, making it a significant local health issue. This condition causes social isolation and psychological distress for patients and represents a substantial health burden for society.
This calls for initiatives to support clinical practice.
Understand to better heal
Now in its second consecutive year, the event went a step further in the care of this disease, by addressing not only the adequacy of compression therapy for treating ulcers but also exploring effective wound care frameworks. This equipped clinicians with knowledge from diagnosis to treatment, and closure of leg ulcers.
The attendees, who were a mix of community nurses, vascular nurses and wound nurses, were guided through this lecture by three experts:
- Dr Sivagame Maniya, WOCN Advanced Practice Nurse, Sengkang Hospital
- Nadiah Raman, Senior Podiatrist, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
- Karine Goh Cheng Cheng, WOCN Senior Nurse Clinician, Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Practice to better care
After reviewing the international standards of care protocols, the attendees were invited to practise on each other by applying different types of compression bandages available on the market to their colleagues in order to better understand their specificity and suitability for certain pathologies and patient profiles. They could therefore also experience first-hand what it feels like to wear them.
By providing healthcare professionals with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to deliver effective wound care and compression therapy, the URGO Foundation aims to keep VLU healing times under six months. This will have a direct positive effect on the psychological and physical impact on affected individuals, as well as help reduce the socioeconomic burden on the healthcare system.
[1] Why Venous Leg Ulcers Have Difficulty Healing: Overview on Pathophysiology, Clinical Consequences, and Treatment – PMC
[2] Incidence of chronic wounds in Singapore, a multiethnic Asian country, between 2000 and 2017: a retrospective cohort study using a nationwide claims database – PubMed
