Interventions to enhance patient compliance with leg ulcer treatment: a review of the literature

Abstract

Research might focus on the development of comprehensive compliance-enhancing strategies. A stronger commitment of healthcare providers and society is needed to make progress in this area. The scope of nursing must be expanded to also include the problems experienced by patients with leg ulcers and the improvement of patient compliance.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Exercise Intervention for the Treatment of Calf Muscle Pump Impairment in Individuals with Chronic Venous Insufficiency

“…13,58,72 4.11.1 EXERCISE Supervised calf muscle exercise has been shown to increase calf muscle pump function and improve haemodynamics. 73,74 Further studies are required to determine whether this may have a beneficial effect on ulcer healing.…”

“…58 Definitions and assessments of concordance vary widely and are often dependent on self reporting or nurse-administered questionnaires.…”

Nursing Interventions in Prevention and Healing of Leg Ulcers: Systematic Review of the Literature

“…The less-frequent causes are neuropathy, infection, vasculitis, neoplasia, blood and metabolic disorders, or lymphedema and disorders that are iatrogenic in origin [5,6]. The relevance of this problem is supported by statistics, in which 1.5-3 in every 1000 individuals have leg ulcers, with increased prevalence at higher ages, leading to 20 for every 1000 individuals aged more than 80 years [2,8]. The literature mentions that leg ulcers are interpreted as "a forever healing experience" [9,10], associated with the fact that 50% of the time, primary healthcare nurses are involved in treating leg ulcers, with the presence of pain in 49-90% of cases, where 50% of venous ulcers heal after 4 months, 20% of venous ulcers heal in between 4 months and 1 year, 20% require a period greater than 2 years to heal, 8% remain unhealed even after 8 years and 69-26% recur in the first year [9].…”

“…The creation of spaces (Leg Clubs) has proved to be a fundamental strategy in therapeutic compliance [10], where nurses with specific training in the area of leg ulcers promote social interaction between patients with the same type of ulcer, evaluate the support required by each individual, provide training aimed at self-care and case management, provide the corresponding treatment and constant monitoring [4][5][6][7][8][9]. The result of the implementation of this project was the reduction in pain intensity, significant progress in healing and an increase in quality of life, specifically at the workplace, in moods, in mobility, sleep patterns and other aspects [10].…”

Nursing Interventions in Prevention and Healing of Leg Ulcers: Systematic Review of the Literature

“…The less-frequent causes are neuropathy, infection, vasculitis, neoplasia, blood and metabolic disorders, or lymphedema and disorders that are iatrogenic in origin [5,6]. The relevance of this problem is supported by statistics, in which 1.5 3 in every 1000 individuals have leg ulcers, with increased prevalence at higher ages, leading to 20 for every 1000 individuals aged more than 80 years [2,8]. The literature mentions that leg ulcers are interpreted as a forever healing experience [9,10], associated with the fact that 50% of the time, primary healthcare nurses are involved in treating leg ulcers, with the presence of pain in 49 90% of cases, where 50% of venous ulcers heal after 4 months, 20% of venous ulcers heal in between 4 months and 1 year, 20% require a period greater than 2 years to heal, 8% remain unhealed even after 8 years and 69 26% recur in the irst year [9].…”