The prevalence, management and outcome for patients with lower limb ulceration identified in a wound care survey within one English health care district

Abstract 

482 people with leg ulcers were identified among those receiving health care in Bradford, UK. Of these wounds 195 (40.4%) were venous leg ulcers. Typically the people who experienced these wounds were elderly Caucasian females however a sub-group of younger males of Asian descent were seen to experience ulcers involving neuropathy. The leg ulcers were typically small in size although 33 people had wounds over 25cm² in surface area. The leg ulcers tended to persist with many present for at least 1 year with 4 wounds active for over 5 years. 205 people had experienced previous episodes of leg ulcer occurrence. Of the leg ulcers encountered 18.0% (n=87) were infected and where wounds were swabbed for their microbial burden MRSA was identified in 8.5% of cases. Use of Doppler ultrasound to assess the aetiology of the wound had been performed in 66.4% of cases and where wounds remained undiagnosed (n=69) only 8 had been Doppler assessed. While 75% of all venous leg ulcers received compression 48 people with venous leg ulcers did not have compression applied to their wound.

Keywords: Leg ulcer, Venous, Diabetic, Prevalence, Assessment, Care provision and treatment