Quality of life in patients with recurrent diabetic foot ulcers

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the association between quality of life and wound severity in patients with recurrent diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: The total sample comprised 86 DFU patients. The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale – Short Form scale was used to collect quality of life data, and Wagner grading was used to assess wound severity. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The results showed that quality of life (QOL) in all domains was low. There were no significant differences between demographic and wound characteristics and QOL of patients. Significant differences were found between diabetes mellitus (DM) duration and Leisure / enjoying life (p = 0.020); Trigger and Worried about ulcers (p = 0.002); Trigger and Dependence / daily life (p = 0.006); Trigger and Negative emotions (p = 0.006); and Trigger and Bothered by ulcer care (p = 0.000). However, there were no significant differences between demographic and wound characteristics and physical health. Conclusion: The study showed that QOL of patients with recurrent diabetic ulcers was low. There was no correlation between quality of life or wound severity and recurrent DFUs. However, there was a correlation between DM duration and Leisure / enjoying life; Trigger and Worried about the ulcer; Trigger and Dependency / daily life; Trigger and Negative emotions; and Trigger and Bothered by ulcer care.