Quality of life of service users with chronic venous ulcers

Abstract

Venous ulcers (VU) are a major public health problem in Portuguese society. The chronicity of this condition, therapeutic course, associated complications, socio-economic impact, as well as the implications for the individual, have a significant impact on quality of life (QOL). In order to understand this issue better in our daily practice, and support our professional action with evidence-based and justified intervention proposals which prove effective in improving the QOL of these service users, the study was carried out with the general objective of evaluating the QOL of people with chronic VU. This descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional quantitative study was based on the Cardiff Wound Impact Scheme for data collection. Using a non-probabilistic sampling method we recruited 66 participants with chronic VUs. From the results we noted that the majority of service users obtained intermediate values for QOL, with a more significant negative impact on the Welfare dimension. It was found also that marital status influenced all dimensions of QOL, and area of residence influenced QOL in general and the dimensions of Physical Symptoms and Daily Life and Social Life.