Venous leg ulcers affect up to 1% of adults in developed countries. These ulcers are associated with substantial morbidity, impaired health-related quality of life, and health care costs. Although all venous leg ulcers are bacterially colonized and some develop overt infection, the association of these conditions with healing is unclear. Nevertheless, systemic or topical antibiotics or topical antiseptics are commonly used to treat infected (and sometimes uninfected) venous leg ulcers. These agents have the potential for adverse outcomes, and it is unknown whether they improve healing. This JAMA Clinical Evidence Synopsis summarizes a Cochrane review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating topical or systemic antimicrobial agents used to manage venous leg ulcers.
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