Recommendations for the management of leg ulcers in people with sickle cell disease

Abstract

Objective: to propose scientific evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and treatment of leg ulcers in people with sickle cell disease. Method: this integrative review was performed by searching through the Scopus, Science Direct, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library and Virtual Health Library databases in March 2020. Results: the ten studies found were published from 2010 to 2017. The 20 recommendations extracted offered evidence at levels rated very low, low and moderate, which was organized into five themes: evaluation of the patient and leg ulcer; management of the ulcer and edema; use of dressings in treating ulcers; recommendations for management of recalcitrant ulcers; and self-care for ulcer prevention. Conclusion: the study identified recommendations for prevention and treatment of leg ulcers in people with sickle cell disease, which can complement the conduct described in the Brazilian Ministry of Health handbook on the subject.