Quality of life of leg ulcer patients: questionnaire and preliminary findings

Abstract

A self-report quality of life questionnaire, was constructed for patients with leg ulcers. The content of the questionnaire was derived from patient conversations. The first version was completed by 33 patients and refined using standard psychometric procedures. The final version measured functional limitations and emotional reactions and was used to quantify quality of life deficits in a group of 50 patients. Although some functional limitations, such as pain impairing mobility or dressing management restricting holidays, were caused directly by the ulcer, many restrictions were due to patients adopting an avoidance strategy to minimise the risk of future leg ulcers. Such strategies included staying away from crowded shopping places and children. Functional limitations and emotional reactions were intercorrelated. Approximately one-third of patients in the final sample reported substantial functional limitations and negative emotions because of their ulcer. The nurses' perceptions of whether the ulcer was healing were similar to those of the patients. Self-care behaviour was unrelated to level of pain or quality of life.

VenUS I: a randomised controlled trial of two types of bandage for treating venous leg ulcers

“…The oldest measure is the Hyland, which has the disadvantage that it only measures QoL of people with open ulceration. 21 The more recent CIVIQ is a health measure for venous insufficiency and so can be used during and after the healing of venous leg ulcers. CIVIQ measures four dimensions: psychological, physical and social functioning and pain.…”

“…21 The HLFUQ is a 34-item instrument derived from conversations with patients and measures HRQoL across four categories: pain; restriction of activities; mood and feelings; and ulcer preoccupation and treatment. 21 To the best of our knowledge, this instrument has not been previously used as an outcome measure in an intervention study and we therefore decided to test its validity and reliability. Patients had an equal probability of assignment to either treatment group.…”

“…21 However, the sample size for the factor analysis in the original study was extremely small given the number of items that comprise the scale. This trial provided an opportunity to validate this scale in a larger sample to determine the factorial structure of this scale and check the reliability and concurrent validity.…”

“…21 The data collected in the VenUS study were factor analysed using principal-axis factoring in SPSS 10. Examination of the scree plot 58 indicated a two-factor solution.…”

The benefits of applying wound-bed preparation into practice

“…Whilst this may eventually lead to the same outcome it may also increase the risk of complications such as maceration and excoriation, increasing the wound size and delaying further the healing process. Controlling the cause and therefore reducing the exudate produced is also considerably more beneficial to the patient in terms of reduction in malodour and leakage onto bedding or clothing which are both factors identified to have a high negative impact on patient's quality of life (Hamer et al 1994, Hyland andThomson 1994).…”