Effect of chronic wounds on health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Hail, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Chronic wounds are a growing public health concern, particularly among individuals with diabetes and other comorbidities. These wounds often lead to prolonged treatment, pain, and psychological distress, significantly impairing patients' quality of life (QoL).

Objective: To evaluate the QoL of patients with chronic wounds and identify the factors that influence their health-related QoL (HRQoL), using the Arabic-language version of the 17-item Wound-QoL questionnaire.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and September 2023, involving 60 patients with chronic wounds treated at a diabetic foot center. Participants were interviewed independently using the Arabic-language version of the Wound-QoL-17, a questionnaire used to assess QoL in patients with chronic wounds.

Results: The study sample had a mean (standard deviation) age of 50 (16.19) years, with 60% female (40% male) and 95% Saudi Arabian participants. Diabetic foot ulcer was the most common wound etiology, present in 30% of cases. Wound etiology affected patients' fears of worsening and their levels of frustration. Participants with diabetes reported higher levels of distress and fear. Longer wound duration was associated with greater limitations in social activities. Additionally, differences between males and females were observed in the perception of wound pain and the burden of treatment.

Conclusion: This study highlights the significant effect of chronic wounds on patients' QoL, with specific factors, such as wound location, etiology, and duration, playing critical roles. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve HRQoL in this patient population.