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. 2023 Feb;40(1):47-53.
doi: 10.5114/ada.2022.124709. Epub 2023 Feb 27.

The effectiveness of two different sub-bandage pressure values on healing and quality of life outcomes for patients with venous leg ulcers

Vesna Karanikolic  1   2 , Aleksandra Ignjatovic  1 , Mirjana Marinkovic  1 , Lidija Djordjevic  1
Affiliations

The effectiveness of two different sub-bandage pressure values on healing and quality of life outcomes for patients with venous leg ulcers

Vesna Karanikolic et al. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Venous ulcers account for over 80% of chronic wounds in the lower extremities. Venous ulcers lead to a significant decrease in the patients' quality of life.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of two different sub-bandage pressure values on healing and quality of life outcomes.

Material and methods: The study included 116 outpatients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs), one group with a moderate compression pressure of 35-40 mm Hg and the second with a high pressure > 45 mm Hg. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log rank test were used to estimate healing by type of compression. Quality of life measures included: Quality of Life Index (QL), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Patients were followed for 24 weeks.

Results: Kaplan-Maier analysis showed that a high pressure leads to a higher proportion of healed VLUs, compared to the moderate pressure (p = 0.011). QL, GDS and NPRS at the beginning were equalized between the groups. In patients with a high compression, there was a statistically significant increase in QL (p = 0.005), decrease in GDS (p = 0.040) and NPRS (p = 0.002) during 24 weeks. In patients with moderate compressions there was a statistically significant increase in QL (p = 0.013).

Conclusions: Patients who received high pressure, healed faster. When a high pressure was applied, there was a statistically significant increase in QL, decrease in GDS and NPRS compared to the group of patients to whom the moderate pressure was applied.

Keywords: quality of life; sub-bandage pressure; venous leg ulcers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of the progress through the phases of a parallel randomized trial: (A) group with a moderate pressure and (B) group with a high pressure
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kaplan-Meier healing curve with respect to the compression type
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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