Leg ulceration in Portugal: quality of life

Furtado, K., Pina, E., Moffatt, C.J. and Franks, P.J. (2008) Leg ulceration in Portugal: quality of life. International Wound Journal, 5(1), pp. 34-39. (doi: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2007.00342.x)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-481X.2007.00342.x

Abstract

This study was undertaken to examine the impact of chronic leg ulceration on patients' health-related quality of life in an audit of practice in Lisbon, Portugal, and to observe the changes following 12 weeks of treatment. A questionnaire was administered at entry into an observational study and following 12 weeks of treatment. Patients entering the study were asked to complete the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Euroqol and visual analogue (VA) pain questionnaires at entry and after 12 weeks. Principal analysis compared final scores with those found at baseline and compared results with Portuguese normative data. In total, 98 patients entered the study and completed the initial questionnaire, with 68 (69.3%) patients completing the follow-up questionnaire. There were significantly (P < 0.001) higher scores for the patients compared with normative data for all domains of the NHP (all P < 0.001). Improvements were noted for all NHP scores after 12 weeks, although only bodily pain showed a significant improvement [mean difference (d) = 10.5, P = 0.003], with significant improvement also in Euroqol (d = 0.10, P = 0.027). Energy and social isolation improved substantially in the eight (11.8%) patients whose ulcers healed, but did not achieve statistical significance, although VA pain score did (d = 4.85, P < 0.001). Patients suffering from leg ulceration show modest improvements in perceived health following 12 weeks of usual care in Portugal. Improvements in practice may enhance the magnitude of these improvements.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Franks, Professor Peter
Authors: Furtado, K., Pina, E., Moffatt, C.J., and Franks, P.J.
Subjects:R Medicine > RD Surgery
R Medicine > RT Nursing
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care
Journal Name:International Wound Journal
ISSN:1742-4801
ISSN (Online):1742-481X
Published Online:13 December 2007

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