A review of design and reporting issues in self-reported prevalence studies of leg ulceration

Firth, Jill; Nelson, E Andrea; Hale, Claire; Hill, Jacqueline; Helliwell, Philip S.

doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2009.09.013

Cited by 14 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The position of lower extremity wounds was ascertained to avoid confusion between the reporting of foot wounds and the reporting of leg ulcers. Previous work has recognised the importance of clarity of position of wounds especially when the term ‘ulceration’ is used which can be misunderstood [42]. Participants who experienced skin problems were asked further questions about the type of skin problem they had.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of skin problems and leg ulceration in a sample of young injecting drug users

et al. 2014

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BackgroundDrug users suffer harm from the injecting process, and clinical services are reporting increasing numbers presenting with skin-related problems such as abscesses and leg ulcers. Skin breakdown can lead to long-term health problems and increased service costs and is often the first indication of serious systemic ill health. The extent of skin problems in injecting drug users has not previously been quantified empirically, and there is a dearth of robust topical literature. Where skin problems have been reported, this is often without clear definition and generic terms such as ‘soft tissue infection’ are used which lack specificity. The aim of this study was to identify the range and extent of skin problems including leg ulceration in a sample of injecting drug users. Definitions of skin problems were developed and applied to descriptions from drug users to improve rigour.MethodsData were collected in needle exchanges and methadone clinics across Glasgow, Scotland, from both current and former drug injectors using face-to-face interviews.ResultsTwo hundred participants were recruited, of which 74% (n = 148) were males and 26% (n = 52) were females. The age range was 21–44 years (mean 35 years). Just under two thirds (64%, n = 127) were currently injecting or had injected within the last 6 months, and 36% (n = 73) had previously injected and had not injected for more than 6 months.Sixty per cent (n = 120) of the sample had experienced a skin problem, and the majority reported more than one problem. Most common were abscesses, lumps, track marks and leg ulcers. Fifteen per cent (n = 30) of all participants reported having had a leg ulcer.ConclusionsThis is an original empirical study which demonstrated unique findings of a high prevalence of skin disease (60%) and surprisingly high rates of leg ulceration (15%). Skin disease in injecting drug users is clearly widespread. Leg ulceration in particular is a chronic recurring condition that is costly to treat and has long-term implications for drug users and services caring for current or former injectors long after illicit drug use has ceased.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Participants over the age of 44 years were excluded to attempt to reduce the potential results created by the impact of age-related disease on ulcer development. Leg ulcer studies of a wider population will tend to include from age 50 years of age or over [42], so 44 years was considered to be a safe margin.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of skin problems and leg ulceration in a sample of young injecting drug users

et al. 2014

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“…Firth et al (11) realizaron una revisión sistemática para conocer estudios sobre prevalencia de úlceras de pierna. La prevalencia fue parecida en Suecia con el 0,63 % e inferior al encontrado en irlanda, con el 1,5 %.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

“…Para Firth et al (11) estimar la prevalencia es el primer paso para construir una base de evidencias para la asistencia a personas con úlceras de pierna. En este sentido, los países europeos han destacado en el reconocimiento del comportamiento de esta lesión en la población (12,13), pero en Brasil los estudios son recientes.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Prevalencia de las úlceras de pierna en la región sur de Brasil

et al. 2013

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“…The STROBE group maintains an active Web site (http://www.strobe-statement.org/index.php?id5 strobe-home). Several examples of its use include selfcollection for vaginal human papillomavirus testing [17], prevalence of complementary medicine use in pediatric cancer [18], and a review of design and reporting issues in selfreported prevalence studies of leg ulceration [19].…”

Section: Guidelines For Nonintervention Observational Studies (Moosementioning

confidence: 99%

Publication guidelines need widespread adoption

Larson

Cortazal

2012

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

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A review of design and reporting issues in self-reported prevalence studies of leg ulceration

Cited by 14 publications

References 22 publications

Prevalence of skin problems and leg ulceration in a sample of young injecting drug users

Prevalence of skin problems and leg ulceration in a sample of young injecting drug users

Prevalencia de las úlceras de pierna en la región sur de Brasil

Publication guidelines need widespread adoption

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