The role of the fibrin cuff in the development of venous leg ulcers

The prevalence of venous ulcers has been quoted as between 0.15% and 1% in Europe and between 600,000 and 2.5 million in the US. The relative frequency of venous leg ulcers is thought to be decreasing due to improvements in community care, prevention and diagnosis, although the ageing population means there is a potential for numbers to increase. Despite these reductions, the economic and social impact is far-reaching — venous leg ulcers cost around £200 million per year in the UK and $1 billion in the US.