Leg and foot ulcer patients. Epidemiology and nursing care in an urban population in south Stockholm, Sweden.

Abstract

To study the prevalence, demography, perceived aetiology, level of care, treatment and nursing care of patients treated for leg and foot ulcers. Prospective survey of leg and foot ulcer patients, using a structured questionnaire consisting of 20 questions directed at nurses and doctors in 193 units, including both primary health care and hospital. South Stockholm Medical Area, Stockholm, Sweden. Two hundred and ninety-four patients with leg and foot ulcers were identified during the six-week study period. Demographic data of population, prevalence of leg and foot ulcers, level of care, economic aspects, treatment of ulcers, level of compression, characteristics of the ulcers, pain and analgesics. With a population of 241,804 in the area, the prevalence of leg and foot ulcer was 0.12%. The majority of patients (92%) were older than 65 years of age, median age 79.2 years. The commonest cause of leg ulceration, as estimated by the staff, was venous insufficiency (42%). The majority of patients were treated within the primary health care system, and only a minority were treated in hospital. Many different local wound dressings were used (n = 51). The majority of dressing changes were performed by auxiliary nurses (54%). Compression was practised in 86% of all cases diagnosed as venous ulcers. Pain was reported by staff in 47% of all patients with venous ulcers. No pain relief was given to 29% of all these cases.