PEOPLE suffering from leg ulcers may be able to help researchers improve healing rates by using aspirin.
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Researchers at Monash University are looking for more than 260 participants to help determine if aspirin can be used to help heal ulcers caused by venous leg ulceration (VLC).
Lead researcher Carolina Weller said the burden of the disease was expected to rise with an ageing population and the growing rates of diabetes and obesity – all risk factors for the development of venous leg ulcers.
"Current best practice involves compression bandaging therapy, however 30 to 50 per cent of VLCs remain unhealed after two years and recurrence is common," Dr Weller said.
To be eligible to take part in the trial, participants must be aged over 40, not taking routine aspirin, and have a leg ulcer that has existed for at least six weeks.
The study will involve 12 weeks of standardised weekly compression therapy in combination with 12 months of taking either aspirin or a placebo.
