Quality of life assessment in persons with chronic wounds

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Despite the incidence and the multidimensional impact of chronic wounds symptoms associated with chronic leg ulcers, many studies do not determine their impact on people, as well as their perception and evaluation of quality of life. Simultaneously, researches reveal a strong relationship between social conditions and lifestyles and the prevalence of this disease. The study aimed to assess which social conditions affect the quality of life of patients with chronic wounds, specifically with venous leg ulcers; Determinate which dimensions were most affected by the occurrence and prevalence of these wounds and their impact on health related quality of life; Evaluate the overall health related quality of life level, has well the satisfaction degree with it. Material & Methods: In terms of design, we developed a cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory study based in a study of cases. The studied population was constituted by patients from a Local Health Unit from the Northern of Portugal and our sample fulfils a list of inclusion criteria, with at least one active record of venous leg ulcers, for at least three months. We used a two parts questioner: the socio-demographic, economic and clinical characterization; and the Portuguese version of the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule (CWIS), sought to measure the occurrence and impact associated with ulcers and multiple dimensions. Complementarily we evaluated the perception of quality of life and their satisfaction with it. We assure all the authorizations to use the questionnaire. The data collection occurs between May and June 2009. To conduct statistic analysis, we use PASW 18.0. Results: Our sample (n = 78), was mostly composed of married and elderly women, with a significant absence of scholar education, living in renting homes, retired and with very lower monthly finance incoming. This persons don’t participate in social activities has well in lazier and recreation activities. The average duration time of leg ulcer his superior than one year and in most cases the first episode occur at least five years ago. We also determine the incidence and the impact items in the following categories of the CWIS: «Welfare», «Physical symptoms and daily life» and «Social life» and in this way we could identify which are the most prevalent and those with great significance in terms of health status and quality of life assessment. Conclusions / Implications for practice: The results of our study, verified a strong relationship between the socio-demographic and economic existence of adversity and leg ulcer. However there isn’t a linear relation between these factors and overall assessment of general health status, the quality of life and the satisfaction with it. Implications for practice: Although the complete healing is often the main goal in the nursing care of persons with wounds in some chronic situations this isn’t possible and, in these cases the caring objective should be to promote the highest level of quality of life. Therefore, we advocate that the nurses in their clinical practice and in a global wound management perspective, should consider and systematic evaluate the influence and the impact on these dimensions and, in this way, help promoting people’s quality of life and their integral health status.