Venous Leg Ulcers and Emotional Consequences

Abstract

Venous leg ulcers are a chronic disease that affects populations around the world. For sufferers, it leads to physical, social, economic, and emotional consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of anxiety and depression, as well as to investigate possible associations with sociodemographic variables. A total of 30 patients, both men and women, with venous ulcers receiving care under outpatient treatment in a teaching hospital of a provincial city of São Paulo State, were included in this study. The evaluation tools used were the following: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire that included job status, religion, marital status, gender, duration of disease, and age. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed. Statistical analysis used means, the Student t test, and the chi( 2) test. Anxiety was identified in 30% of the patients and depression in 40%. No statistically significant correlation was found between anxiety or depression and the sociodemographic variables. Patients with chronic venous ulcers may present with anxiety and depression independent of socioeconomic variables such as religion, occupation, marital status, and duration of lesion.

Úlceras venosas: caracterização clínica e tratamento em usuários atendidos em rede ambulatorial

“…Isto significa maior demanda aos serviços de saúde, em relação tanto a recursos materiais, estruturais e humanos, requerendo a atuação de equipe multidisciplinar em função da interferência na qualidade de vida das pessoas (7) . Dessa forma, e considerando tratar-se de um individuo acometido por doença crônica, é indicado que mesmo após cicatrização completa da ulcera, sejam remarcadas consultas periódicas de enfermagem com intuito de avaliar a pele, a cicatriz da ferida e a manutenção dos cuidados tomados pelo paciente em prol da sua saúde (12) .…”

“…Esse poderia ser o ponto de partida para garantir maior resolubilidade ao tratamento, que representa desafio às práticas dos profissionais, não só pela questão financeira para o sistema de saúde, mas pelo impacto biopsicossocial das úlceras venosas para a população (6)(7) .…”

“…Apesar disso, observa-se uma tendência das pesquisas serem realizadas em unidades especializadas no tratamento de úlceras venosas, conferindo às amostras características clínicas das lesões de difí-cil cicatrização e refratárias ao tratamento convencional (3,5,7) . Sendo assim, a presente pesquisa objetivou analisar as características das úlceras venosas e o tratamento recebido pela população atendida em salas de curativos de unidades da rede ambulatorial da atenção básica em saúde, com vistas a oferecer subsídios para a elaboração de políticas públicas direcionadas e mais assertivas a esta clientela, além de indicar aspectos que podem contribuir para reflexões acerca do processo de atendimento à essa população e áreas que necessitam de pesquisas futuras.…”

Quality of life in Greek family members living with leg ulcer patients

“…Chronic leg ulcers have a major impact on the patient's psychological, socioeconomic, and physical status. Their condition restricts their ability to work and excludes them from social activities, leading to psychological problems that include depression, anxiety, and decreased self‐confidence . Family members can also experience a significant impact on their lives such as social disruption, marital problems, financial difficulties, and physical depletion.…”

Compression Therapy for Treatment of Venous Disease and Limb Swelling

“…Venous insufficiency is an important socio-economic problem with significant effects on quality of life, resulting in high treatment costs and loss of work due to disability. It has been reported to cause anxiety in 30% of patients and depression in 40% of the patients [4]. Lymphedema is defined as edema due to excessive lymphatic fluid accumulation in subcutaneous tissues.…”