Chronic leg ulceration: socio-economic aspects

Abstract

Six hundred patients with chronic leg ulcers were assessed and classified with regard to social class, mobility and employment. It has been shown that there is no increased incidence of chronic leg ulceration in the more disadvantaged socio-economic groups, but when leg ulceration occurs it is more likely to be recurrent and take longer to heal. Although in only 11% of patients was mobility affected by leg ulceration alone, the condition interfered with work and or leisure activities to a moderate or severe degree in 42%.