Social effects of leg ulceration in sickle cell anemia.

The relationship between chronic leg ulceration and the education, employment, and familial relationships of adults with homozygous sickle cell disease was studied. There was a significant correlation between the age of onset of leg ulceration and educational attainment. Patients in the leg ulcer group demonstrated lower educational attainment, had greater difficulty in obtaining and retaining employment, and were less likely to form stable marital relationships.