Aims: To identify factors associated with longitudinal changes in health-related quality of life in community-dwelling individuals with venous or mixed-venous leg ulcers.
Background: Most care focuses primarily on healing; this research may additionally lead to strategies to improve quality of life.
Design: Data from four studies (2000-2009) were combined (2012) to examine quality of life in community-dwelling individuals referred for care of chronic leg wounds.
Methods: Data collection occurred at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months or at healing and included a comprehensive clinical assessment and measures of pain (McGill), functional autonomy (EQ-5D™ ) and quality of life (SF-12TM ). Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores (SF-12TM ) were categorized by whether or not there was an improvement (≥3 points) over time. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to identify factors associated with improvement.
Results/findings: Mean age of this sample (n = 519) was 67·5 years, 55·9% were women. Median time to healing was 70 days. Mean Physical Component Summary score increased from 37·0-41·5; factors associated with improvement included independent mobility, family history, problems with usual activities, fewer comorbidities and higher baseline pain. Mean Mental Component Summary score improved from 50·5-53·7; factors associated with improvement included anxiety or depression at baseline and living with others.
Conclusion: Chronic leg ulceration has a substantial, negative impact on health-related quality of life. Ascertaining characteristics associated with changes in quality of life will contribute to the development of comprehensive strategies for prevention, care and improved quality of life.
Keywords: HRQOL; SF-12; chronic wounds; community and home care; healing; health-related quality of life; leg ulcers; longitudinal; quality of life.
© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.