5.7.2 A postal survey to explore the impact of venous ulceration on quality of life (198)

Simon Palfreyman, Reserach Nurse, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom Co authors: John Brazier & Jonathan Michaels Simon.Palfreyman@sth.nhs.uk

Abstract:

Background:

Qualitative (Briggs 2007) and quantitative (Anand 2003) techniques have described how having a leg ulcer affects the lives of sufferers. Such studies have illustrated that quality of life can be profoundly affected. However, there can be difficulties in measuring such impacts using quality of life questionnaires (Walters 1999).

Aim:

To assess the impact of venous ulceration on quality of life using a disease-specific and two generic quality of life questionnaires.

Methods:

Questions related to the impact of venous ulceration were identified through literature review, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. A self-completed postal questionnaire containing sixteen disease specific items, Euroqol, SF-6 and life satisfaction questions was sent to 266 people with a history of venous ulceration being treated by the local tissue viability service.

Results & discussion:

A response rate of 57% (n=152) was obtained. 92 respondents had a current ulcer, the remaining 60 had a healed ulcer. The mean age was 66.6 years (range 27-104) and 53% female. The most frequent symptoms experienced by respondents with ulceration were pain (80%), insomnia (65%), exudate (75%), depression (65%) and adverse smell (56%). Venous ulceration was associated with a significant adverse impact on quality of life. The presence of a venous ulcer resulted in statistically significant lower perceived quality of life scores compared to those with no active ulceration. Calculation of the EQ5D and SF6D single index utility scores showed poorer health scores for both groups compared to the normative UK population scores but significantly (p < 0.05) lower scores for those with active ulceration. Patients with ulcers also had significantly lower life satisfaction scores.

Conclusions:

Patients with venous ulcers suffer from reduced quality of life which can be illustrated through reduced quality of life scores. Those who have a healed ulcer also have a poorer quality of life compared to the general population.

Biography:

Simon currently works as a research nurse at the Sheffield Vascular Institute at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He was awarded the Smith and Nephew Foundation Doctoral Studentship in 2005 to examine quality of life and venous leg ulcers. He has a honorary lecturers post in the Department of Acute and Critical Care, University of Sheffield School of Nursing.