Impaired tissue integrity, related factors and defining characteristics in persons with vascular ulcers

Abstract

This transversal study aimed to analyze factors related to, and defining characteristics of, Impaired Tissue Integrity in persons with vascular ulcers, and compare the mean of these factors between the groups presenting different degrees in the severity of tissue compromise. The study was undertaken in February-August 2009, in the municipal health network of Goiânia in the state of Goiás, using interviews, clinical examinations and photographic records of the wounds. For analysis, simple and percentage frequencies and the Student t-test (p<0.05) were used. Five related factors were identified in more than half of the 42 participants: impaired circulation, knowledge deficit, chemical irritants, fluid excess and nutritional factors. Three defining characteristics were identified in all of the participants. There was no difference in the mean of related factors between groups. Impaired Tissue Integrity in persons with vascular ulcers was a phenomenon which demands professional attention extending beyond circulatory impairment. The mean of factors did not indicate greater or lesser severity of the compromising of the tissue integrity.

Self-care deficits in women with leg ulcers and sickle cell disease

“…Alteration of mobility in the presence of an ulcer translates into social isolation and the inability to wear clothes, walk, shower with the concern not to wet dressings. Another factor detrimental to mobility is the discomfort caused by edema, exudate and fear of trauma that may contribute to the onset of new ulcers (11) .…”

“…Impaired circulation causes damage to the layers of the skin causing the ulcer. Visible changes are hyperemia, edema, decreased wrists in the extremities, pallor to leg elevation, hemosiderosis, and hypotrichosis (11) .…”

Effectiveness of the strategies of an orientation programme for the lifestyle and wound‐healing process in patients with venous ulcer: A randomised controlled trial

“…Patients with VLUs in compression therapy were included according to the following inclusion criteria: ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) > 0.8 and < 1.3 13,15 , minimum wound duration of 6 weeks, and size ≥0.2 cm 2. 16 Individuals with a medical diagnosis of osteomyelitis, diabetes mellitus, and infected wounds, evaluated by the presence of 2 or more clinical signs/symptoms of infection (pain, erythema, oedema, heat, purulent exudate, serous exudate with simultaneous inflammation, slow wound healing, pale granulation tissue, friable granulation tissue, and odour), were excluded from the research. 17 The sample size was estimated using the methodology of a repeated measures ANOVA model and assuming a 5% significance level, a test of 80% power, and an effect size of 0.25, which can be considered a medium effect size.…”

Aspects Related to Venous Ulcer Healing and its Influence on Quality of Life

“…In the case of systematic nursing care for people with VU, a study identified in more than half of the participants, the following factors related to the nursing diagnosis of the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) Impaired tissue integrity: impaired circulation, knowledge deficit, chemical irritants, excess fluids, and nutritional factors [6].…”