Psychological factors in leg ulceration: a case-control study

Summary Background There is increasing recognition of the role that psychological status plays in the development and outcomes of chronic disease, but little understanding of its importance in chronic leg ulceration. Objectives To examine psychological health and perceived social support in patients with chronic leg ulceration. Methods Patients with leg ulceration within a defined population were matched for age and gender (1 : 1) with community controls in a matched case–control study. Analysis was by conditional logistic regression and matched t‐test analysis. Results Ninety‐five patients (60 women and 35 men; 59% aged over 75 years) were identified and matched to the same number of controls. Cases had significantly poorer health‐related quality of life in all domains of the Nottingham Health Profile (all P ≤ 0·001), compared with controls. Levels of depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were significantly greater in the patient group (mean 5·3 vs. 3·6, P