Medical pathology in patients with leg ulcers: a study carried out in a leg ulcer clinic in a day hospital for the elderly.

This study was undertaken to see if the multiple pathology previously found in elderly patients with leg ulcers (other than the ulcer) differed in older and younger patients. A retrospective survey of the case notes of 42 consecutive patients (19 males, 23 females) admitted to a medically staffed leg ulcer clinic based in a geriatric day hospital was carried out. Twenty one patients were aged < or = 74 years (including seven aged < or = 59 years) and 21 aged > or = 75 years. Medical conditions known on referral and illnesses diagnosed during attendance were identified. The high incidence of disease in both age groups was identical, with 57% of patients with four or more diagnoses. No patient had no medical illness in addition to their ulcer. The commonest was cardiovascular disease followed by arthritis, obesity and endocrine disease. Nineteen per cent of all diagnoses were made at the clinic. Medical treatment, including drug reviews, in addition to compression bandaging and other local treatment, was found to be helpful for healing the ulcer. Medical input to leg ulcer clinics is therefore important.