Prevalence of leg ulcers increases with age due to an increase in risk factors, including immobility and venous disease. With an increasingly aging population, therefore, the number of older adults with leg ulcers is increasing. Older adults with leg ulcers experience frequent pain and discomfort, and yet pain in this population is poorly managed. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of the use of analgesic dressings in older adults with leg ulcers, including their perception of current pain management, feasibility of an analgesic dressing, and potential challenges. The overriding objective was to use the information to design a novel advanced dressing that is highly effective and acceptable to patients and health professionals at affordable cost. Focus groups involving nurses, with experience of leg ulcers, were conducted. Participants were asked their opinion on pain from leg ulcers, including perception of current pain management, feasibility of an analgesic dressing, and potential challenges of using analgesia in this format. Focus groups and interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a framework approach. Fifteen nurses attended two focus groups and one older adult completed a telephone interview. The overall opinion of an analgesic dressing were very positive; the key themes relating to the use of an analgesic dressing in practice include duration of pain relief; when pain occurs; type of analgesic; skin integrity; training/experience; compliance; and dressing practicalities. Leg ulcers are well known to be painful and often associated with social stigma. A dressing that deals with absorption issues and can help to manage pain, particularly during dressing changes (when pain is highest), would be welcomed by nurse professionals. This preliminary study provides a basis upon which future research can be based.
Keywords: Analgesic dressing; leg ulcers; older adults; pain.