BACKGROUND: The prevalence of leg ulcer disease in Ireland has been poorly documented. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the aetiology and prevalence of leg ulcers in one health district. METHODS: All patients receiving healthcare for an active leg ulcer in the Mid-Western Health Board (MWHB) region of Ireland (population: 317,069) were identified in a defined two-month period. A cross-sectional survey of all healthcare workers providing care to patients with leg ulceration was carried out. Patients with leg ulcers of uncertain cause were invited for follow-up assessment to establish the underlying cause. RESULTS: There were 389 patients with leg ulcers with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 72.3 (11.1) years. The prevalence was 0.12% but it was 1.03% in patients aged 70 years and over. Women were twice as likely to be affected. Venous disease accounted for 81% of ulcers, and arterial disease for 16.3%, while ulceration due to diabetic neuropathy and rheumatoid vasculitis was unusual. CONCLUSION: Leg ulcers are an important source of morbidity in our ageing population. Effective treatment programmes could diminish the impact of this debilitating disease on the health service.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of leg ulcer disease in Ireland has been poorly documented. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the aetiology and prevalence of leg ulcers in one health district. METHODS: All patients receiving healthcare for an active leg ulcer in the Mid-Western Health Board (MWHB) region of Ireland (population: 317,069) were identified in a defined two-month period. A cross-sectional survey of all healthcare workers providing care to patients with leg ulceration was carried out. Patients with leg ulcers of uncertain cause were invited for follow-up assessment to establish the underlying cause. RESULTS: There were 389 patients with leg ulcers with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 72.3 (11.1) years. The prevalence was 0.12% but it was 1.03% in patients aged 70 years and over. Women were twice as likely to be affected. Venous disease accounted for 81% of ulcers, and arterial disease for 16.3%, while ulceration due to diabetic neuropathy and rheumatoid vasculitis was unusual. CONCLUSION:Leg ulcers are an important source of morbidity in our ageing population. Effective treatment programmes could diminish the impact of this debilitating disease on the health service.
Authors: T Faresjö; T Frödin; C Vahlquist; M Klevbrand; J Elfström; D Leszniewska; A Larsson Journal: Int J Health Care Qual Assur Inc Leadersh Health Serv Date: 1997
Authors: Finja Jockenhöfer; Harald Gollnick; Katharina Herberger; Georg Isbary; Regina Renner; Markus Stücker; Eva Valesky; Uwe Wollina; Michael Weichenthal; Sigrid Karrer; Bernhard Kuepper; Alexander Roesch; Joachim Dissemond Journal: Int Wound J Date: 2014-12-05 Impact factor: 3.315
Authors: Mary Clarke-Moloney; Niamh Keane; Veronica O'Connor; Mary Anna Ryan; Helen Meagher; Pierce A Grace; Eamon Kavanagh; Stewart R Walsh; Paul E Burke Journal: Int Wound J Date: 2012-10-19 Impact factor: 3.315