Objective: Very little research has explored patients' experience of pain with different cleansing agents and dressings. We therefore undertook a longitudinal study of their impact on leg ulcer pain.
Method: Patients with leg ulcers referred to community nurses were eligible to participate. They were followed up for six months, completing questionnaires about the impact on pain of each wound treatment used. A treatment episode was defined as the use of a wound cleansing agent, primary dressing and bandages. When one aspect of treatment changed, a new treatment episode began.
Results: There were 210 treatment episodes for 96 leg ulcer patients. In 206 episodes cleansing agents were used. Cleansing caused pain in 22% of episodes and relieved pain in 27%. Of the five most commonly used dressing types, low-adherent dressings were the least likely to cause pain. Only 56% of patients were able to tolerate full compression bandaging and pain was the most common reason for non-compliance.
Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients felt that leg ulcer treatments caused pain. A greater emphasis on the impact of treatment on pain and healing is warranted both clinically and in research.