Health-related quality of life with chronic leg ulceration.

Chronic leg ulceration is a major cause of morbidity in the elderly. The existing evidence on the evaluation of health-related quality of life for patients suffering from this condition is reviewed. Research evidence was categorized into qualitative research; development and validation of disease-specific tools; cross sectional quantitative methods; and longitudinal and outcomes studies. Major themes associated with leg ulceration include ulcer pain, poor sleep quality, mobility deficit and the resulting consequences on the patients' social lives. Patients frequently adapt their lifestyles to avoid situations that may lead to further ulceration. While elderly women experience the poorest quality of life, it appears that leg ulceration has the greatest impact on young men. Greatest improvements over time are achieved for patients whose ulcers heal completely. Leg ulceration has a major impact on patients' health-related quality of life. Studies must consider this as an important outcome, particularly when complete healing is unlikely.