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%.
BobekKCajzlLCepelakVSlaisovaVOpatznyKBarcalR. Etude de la frequence des maladies phlebologigues et de l'inflence de quelques faceurs etiologigues. Phlebologie1966; 3: 217–230.
4.
LoudonISL. Leg ulcers in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Journal of the Royal College of General Practioners1981; 31: 263–273.
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CallamMJHarperDRDaleJJRuckleyCV. Chronic ulcer of the leg: The clinical history. British Medical Journal1987. In Press.
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CallamMJRuckleyCVHarperDRDaleJJ. Chronic leg ulceration: The extent of the problem and the provision of care. British Medical Journal1985; 290: 1855–1856.
7.
Department of Health and Social Security.Inequalities in health. London: Department of Health and Social Security, 1980.
