Venous ulcers have a negative effect on quality of life
- Published: 18 November 2008 16:03
- Last Updated: 18 November 2008 16:03
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Venous ulcers, which often affect older patients, can have a negative effect on quality of life
Venous ulcers have a negative effect on quality of life, according to a researcher from Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.
Researchers piloted a draft questionaire to assess quality of life. The questions were identified through a literature review, semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
A self-completed postal questionnaire containing 16 disease-specific items, EuroQol, SF-6 and life-satisfaction questions was sent to 266 people with a history of venous ulceration. A response rate of 61% (n=152) was obtained.
The most frequent symptoms reported were pain (80%), exudate (75%), and depression (65%). The presence of venous ulcers resulted in statistically significant lower quality-of-life and life-satisfaction scores.
The research identified that those with a healed ulcer also have a poorer quality of life compared with the general population.
