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. 2017 Apr;14(2):360-368.
doi: 10.1111/iwj.12610. Epub 2016 Apr 25.

Correlation between health-related quality of life and venous leg ulcer's severity and characteristics: a cross-sectional study

Héctor González de la Torre  1 , María L Quintana-Lorenzo  1 , Estrella Perdomo-Pérez  2 , José Verdú  3
Affiliations

Correlation between health-related quality of life and venous leg ulcer's severity and characteristics: a cross-sectional study

Héctor González de la Torre et al. Int Wound J. 2017 Apr.

Abstract

This study aims to determine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients suffering with venous ulceration and to correlate wound's severity status with HRQoL loss as well as identify the aspects of HRQoL most negatively affected by the presence of venous ulcers. In this observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical multi-centre study, data was compiled over a period of 3·5 months. Thrity-four patients with venous ulceration were recruited. The RESVECH 2·0 scale was used to monitor wounds. The MAID scale was used to measure wound's severity. The Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire (CCVUQe) (Spanish version) was used to evaluate quality of life. The mean CCVUQe score was 60·58 ± 16·04. The HRQoL dimension most affected was 'Emotional state' (mean score = 77. 67 ± 17·34). The average RESVECH 2.0 score for the wounds was 13·15 ± 5·07. A statistically significant association between total CCVUQ-e score and total RESVECH 2.0 score was detected [Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0·546 (P ≤ 0·001)]. Venous ulcers affect patients' HRQoL, particularly their emotional status. There is a relationship between the severity of the wound and loss of HRQoL. The presence of non-viable tissue, poor exudate control and infection all determine loss of HRQoL. New studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: Health-related quality of life; Patient-reported outcomes; Venous leg ulcers; Wound assessment; Wound severity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Correlation between CCVUQe and RESVECH 2.0 total scores.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Box diagram of CCVUQe versus tissue type on wound bed.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Box diagram of CCVUQe versus exudate.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation between CCVUQe and infection–inflammation sub‐score from RESVECH 2.0.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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