Quality of life assessment and use of patient-reported outcomes in practice

Abstract

SummaryBackground: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are essential components of wound and vascular diagnostics and management. Aim: To provide an overview of PROs as diagnostic tools in the management of chronic wounds.Methods: Review of different concepts on inclusion of PROs in wound practice from literature.Results: PROs are indispensable sources of information for the understanding of the biopsycho- social context of wound diseases. Essential dimensions to be recorded are pain, health-related quality of life and patient benefit. Psychological parameters, adherence, treatment goals and treatment benefits are often needed. Further fields of interest include cumulative life course impairment, coping with disease, stigmatisation specifically applied according to clinical questions.Conclusion: Patient-reported outcomes are mandatory for the diagnostic work-up of chronic wounds. They also provide essential information in the course of a disease, can be diagnostic clues for non-adherence and treatment failures. Measurement of many PRO parameters in wound disease, such as health-related quality of life and pain, is facilitated by validated instruments, which are recommended for practice.