A follow-up study of ulcer healing, nutrition, and life-situation in elderly patients with leg ulcers

Abstract

This study was undertaken in order to follow up ulcer healing, ulcer recurrence, nutritional status and life-situation in elderly patients with leg ulcers. Of 70 patients assessed previously in 1996, 43 (61%) were still alive in 2000 and, of these, 38 (88%) participated in the follow-up. Rate of healing, recurrence and amputation were obtained from medical records and interviews with the patients. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to assess their nutritional status and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Multilevel Assessment Instrument was used for assessment of their life-situation. Nineteen patients (50%), mean age 82+/-4.6 years, had healed ulcers. Two (5%) patients, mean age 86+/-2.8, had required amputation and had no ulceration after surgery. Seventeen patients (45%), mean age 80.3+/-6 years, had open ulcers, six had their original ulcers still unhealed, and 11 had open recurrent ulcers. Decreased mean MNA scores, as well as decreased mean scores in ADL and mobility, were seen over time in patients with open ulcers but not in those who were healed. Patients with healed ulcers had significantly higher mean scores in social interaction than those with open ulcers and significantly increased mean scores in environmental quality over time. The results indicate that nutrition and the life-situation might be related to leg ulcer healing. The nutritional situation and the whole life-situation should be observed and taken into consideration when care is planned. Additional research is needed to increase the understanding of the relationship between nutrition, life-situation and ulcer healing.