Chronic ulceration of the leg: Extent of the problem and provision of care

Abstract

A postal survey in two health board areas in Scotland, encompassing a population of about one million, identified 7477 patients with chronic ulcers of the leg. Women outnumbered men by a ratio of 2 8:1. The median age of the women was 74 and of the men 67. Seventy two (5%) were hospital inpatients, 174 (12%) were managed jointly by the primary care team and outpatient departments, and 1201 (83%) were managed entirely in the community. Efforts to improve the management of chronic ulcers of the leg should focus on primary health care. © 1985, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.