James 2003.

Methods	Prospective cohort study/case series Setting: leg ulcer clinic Country: UK Duration of follow‐up: 12 weeks Treatments: not reported
Participants	10 participants with VLU and other wounds (7 VLU, 2 mixed A‐V, 1 venous and diabetes) Mean age: 72 (SD 9) years (calculated from IPD) Sex: not reported Stage of ulcer: not reported Ulcer duration: 45 (32) months (from IPD) Ulcer size at baseline: 69 (73) cm² (from IPD) Wound infection: not reported Number of wounds: 10 Inclusion criteria: chronic wound of lower leg Exclusion criteria: not reported
Prognostic factors	Human neutrophil elastase (continuous data). Measurement method ELISA: Merck kit. Diluted sample in antibody‐coated cuvette and second conjugate with alkaline phosphatase antibodies. Then p‐nitrophenol phosphate substrate added, and absorbance measured in spectrophotometer. Likely to be in an active form of protease. Time of measurement: baseline Wound fluid sampling method: occlusive dressings (Opsite (Smith & Nephew) 30‐40 minutes)
Notes	Minimal data collection because no direct results. Risk of bias assessments available on request