A follow-up study of leg ulcer patients in South Stockholm

The objective of this study was to follow up patients with leg ulcers, previously identified in an epidemiological study in South Stockholm. Rate of healing, non-healing, recurrence, amputation and mortality were recorded. A total of 254 patients were identified for follow-up after 18 months, using a questionnaire; at the time of the follow-up study, 61% of the ulcers were healed, 29% of the patients still had open ulcers, and 8% of the ulcers had recurred after healing. During this period, 20% of the patients had died, with arterial disease (39%) being more common than venous insufficiency. A further objective was to investigate 21 patients with non-healed venous leg ulcers by means of a structured assessment instrument, and to study if wound healing could be encouraged by using a triple-layer bandage for three months. Patients with non-healed venous leg ulcers treated in community care were recruited for assessment by means of a standardised form and given a triple-layer bandaging treatment for a three-...