[Epidemiology of chronic wounds treated in Primary Health Care in Portugal]

Abstract

This cross-sectional study of a sample of patients with wounds of duration > 2 weeks, attempts to characterize patients and type of wounds treated in community services and assess patient's views with regard to wounds and care received. 144 health centres were randomly selected so as to be nationally representative.

Results: 1424 wounds in 1115 patients aged > or = 18 yrs were assessed. Of these, 57.4% were treated in the clinic and 42.6% at home. There was a predominance of female patients (57.7%) and average age was 69.9 (clinic) and 77.1 (home) years. Over 80% of patients were retired. Leg ulcers were the main type of wound, followed by pressure ulcers. Average wound duration was 7.4 months for pressure ulcers and 19.4 months for leg ulcers. Of 574 clinic patients a significant number complained of discomfort and pain but over 90% were satisfied with care received.

Discussion: Patient population was characterized as elderly, low income and suffering from chronic underlying disease. Expectations regarding healing are low. An education/ intervention project has been started to promote evidence-based practice.