Prevalence of non-healed and healed chronic leg ulcers in an elderly rural population

Abstract

Objective - To estimate the prevalence of non-healed and healed chronic leg ulcers in an elderly rural population. Design - All persons 70 years or older were asked about present and previous leg ulcers. Setting - A rural village in mid-west Sweden with 4000 inhabitants. Participants - 541 persons aged 70 years and above. Outcome measures - The prevalence of healed or non- healed chronic leg ulcers in the population aged ≥ 70. Results - Healed or non-healed leg ulcers were reported by 53 persons (9.8%). Examination of these patients and also 100 individuals who had negated present or previous leg ulceration, giving the total prevalence of 12.6%. Conclusion - The result indicates a certain risk for overestimation of prevalence, as well as underestimation and decreased reliability when basing the figures only on telephone interviews or posted questionnaires.