Table 2.
Characteristics of 171 lower extremity ulcer episodes in 125 patients with rheumatoid arthritis
| Characteristics | N (%), unless specified |
|---|---|
| Time to heal in days, median (25th, 75th percentile) | 30.5 (14.0, 115.0) |
| Current smokers at diagnosis of LE ulcer | 15 (9) |
| History of recent local trauma | 69 (40) |
| Comorbidities | |
| Varicose veins | 32 (19) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 42 (25) |
| Coronary artery disease | 54 (32) |
| Peripheral artery disease | 33 (19) |
| Location of lover extremity ulcer | |
| Between ankle and knee | 58 (34) |
| Tip of toes | 46 (27) |
| Plantar/metatarsal | 18 (11) |
| Heel | 18 (11) |
| Lateral malleolus | 18 (11) |
| Medial malleolus | 13 (8) |
| Other location | 19 (11) |
| Type of lower extremity ulcer | |
| Pressure ulcer | 62 (36) |
| Ischemic ulcer | 22 (18) |
| Venous ulcer | 20 (12) |
| Neuropathic ulcer | 18 (11) |
| Vasculitic (biopsy-proven) | 2 (1) |
| Traumatic ulcer | 49 (29) |
| Unknown etiology | 10 (6) |
| Anti-rheumatic medications used at onset of lower extremity ulcer ulcer | |
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | 70 (41) |
| Glucocorticosteroids | 79 (46) |
| Methotrexate | 63 (37) |
| Other disease modifying antirheumatic drugs | 49 (29) |
| Biologics | 12 (7) |