The presence of anemia in patients with leg ulcer: laboratory test

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the presence of anemia in patients with chronic lower limb ulcers based on profile and hematometric indices. Method: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The sample was composed of 64 participants with lower limb ulcers and evolution time greater than 12 weeks. Data was collected between May/2016 and December/2017 from hematological analyses, records from medical records, and wound assessment form. Results: 36 (56.2%) were male; 38 (59.4%) between 60 and 80 years old; 56 (87.5%) with chronic diseases and 52 (81.2%) with venous ulcers. 6 years mean of active ulceration. Anemia was detected in 36 (56.2%), 27 (75%) of which were normochromic and normocytic; 14 (38.8%) had deficiency anemia recorded in their medical chart. Conclusion: The low hemoglobin concentration is recurrent among the participants characterizing an anemia condition, whose profile reveals congruence to the anemia of chronic disease.