OBJECTIVES: To assess health status of patients with leg ulcers and the impact and consequences of such chronic disease on the life of their caregivers. METHODS: Administration of SF-12 questionnaire, VAS for pain at different times for patients, Family Strain Questionnaire for caregivers. Observational study in a “day care” setting. Methods. Eighty consecutive patients with leg ulcers and their principal caregivers were observed in the period January-August 2006. RESULTS: The emotional burden and problem in social involvement were statistically significantly higher in caregivers for patients with worse SF-12 scores on the physical scale. Values of emotional burden were lower than those observed for the oncological patients and for patients in a persistent vegetative state; however, they were higher than those observed for the neurological, pneumological, and nephrological patients. Score for social involvement was statistically significantly higher for caregivers of patient with vascular leg ulcers compared to other diseases, with the single exception of the persistent vegetative state. CONCLUSION: Leg ulcers like any other chronic disease alter the relationship between family members and the physical impairment causes caregiver strain. Improving physical health status can reduce the emotional burden and improve the social involvement for caregivers.