Improving treatment outcomes—management of coexisting comorbidities in patients with venous ulcers

In this chapter the most common comorbidities in patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are listed and examined. Some comorbidities as diabetes, arterial hypertension, cardiac diseases commonly occur in the same age group as that of patients with VLUs. They have an uncertain role in favoring VLUs occurrence or recurrence and in delaying the ulcer healing. Some other conditions like reduced muscles pumping function, sedentary lifestyle, obesity may result in impaired venous return and can have an important role in the occurrence of venous stasis even in absence of any venous disease. As a consequence, they can have an indirect pathophysiologic role in promoting VLUs occurrence and recurrence and in delaying the VLU healing. Psycho-social conditions impairment is also taken in consideration and its treatment suggested. Available data on the possible comorbidities, their pathophysiologic role, their possible treatment are provided.