Journal Article

The effectiveness of two different sub-bandage pressure values on healing and quality of life outcomes for patients with venous leg ulcers

Djordjevic, Lidija, Karanikolic, Vesna, Ignjatovic, Aleksandra, Marinkovic, Mirjana

2023

Overview

Venous ulcers account for over 80% of chronic wounds in the lower extremities. Venous ulcers lead to a significant decrease in the patients' quality of life. To compare the effectiveness of two different sub-bandage pressure values on healing and quality of life outcomes. The study included 116 outpatients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs), one group with a moderate compression pressure of 35-40 mm Hg and the second with a high pressure > 45 mm Hg. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log rank test were used to estimate healing by type of compression. Quality of life measures included: Quality of Life Index (QL), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Patients were followed for 24 weeks. Kaplan-Maier analysis showed that a high pressure leads to a higher proportion of healed VLUs, compared to the moderate pressure ( = 0.011). QL, GDS and NPRS at the beginning were equalized between the groups. In patients with a high compression, there was a statistically significant increase in QL ( = 0.005), decrease in GDS ( = 0.040) and NPRS ( = 0.002) during 24 weeks. In patients with moderate compressions there was a statistically significant increase in QL ( = 0.013). Patients who received high pressure, healed faster. When a high pressure was applied, there was a statistically significant increase in QL, decrease in GDS and NPRS compared to the group of patients to whom the moderate pressure was applied.

• Publisher: Termedia Publishing House
• Subject: Compression therapy / Leg ulcers / Original Paper / Quality of life