Chronic leg ulcers disrupt patients' lives: A study of leg ulcer-related life changes and quality of life

Abstract

Chronic leg ulcers have a profound impact on patients' physical, functional, and psychological status, which may result in several life changes and a significant decline in quality of life (QoL). We aimed to study what changed in patients' lives after developing a chronic leg ulcer, including QoL, patients' comprehension of the disease and related feelings. A cross-sectional study, using an anonymous questionnaire and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was performed. Chronic leg ulcers were life changing events, causing abandonment of work in almost 80% of the patients and important limitations in daily activities and autonomy. Familial relationships changed in more than half of the patients. Almost 15% hid or would like to hide their disease from others, especially patients with a shorter duration of disease. QoL was very or extremely affected in 18.2% of the participants completing the DLQI.

Keywords: emotions; leg ulcer; life change events; quality of life.