XXXX in New Zealand: age at onset, recurrence and provision of care in an urban population.

@entity1 @entity1066 @entity6008
AIM: To describe the age at onset, recurrence rate, and provision of care for @entity1 with @entity6008 in New Zealand. METHODS: Between 1997 and 1998, @entity1 with current @entity6008 were identified from the North Auckland and Central Auckland health districts via notification from relevant health professionals and by self-referral. All @entity1066 types were investigated. Identified cases, aged between 40 and 99 years and on the general electoral roll, were interviewed as part of a case-control study. Descriptive information relating to interviewed cases is presented. RESULTS: 241 @entity1 with @entity6008 were interviewed. The average age was 75 years and almost 60% were @entity1 . The average age at @entity1066 onset was 65 years, 59% of @entity1 had recurrent @entity1066 , and 24% had been hospitalised in the last five years because of their @entity6008 . Those @entity1 with recurrent @entity6008 had lived with their condition for an average of fifteen years, with an average time to healing for their last @entity1066 of thirteen months. Treatment of this condition was largely community-based, with 136 different treatment options employed. CONCLUSIONS: Leg ulceration remains a chronic and recurring condition, with substantial practice variation in terms of treatment. Urgent attention needs to be given to the management of leg @entity1066 @entity1 in this country, particularly given that New Zealand has a rapidly ageing population.
