Disease-specific, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with chronic wounds—A descriptive cross-sectional study using the Wound-QoL

Background

In the care of people with chronic wounds, nursing includes, besides direct wound care, in particular the safeguarding and promotion of health-related self-management and well-being. Therefore, it is important to assess the health-related quality of life of patients or limitations and impairments in different areas of life to be able to take appropriate measures if necessary. The aim of this study was to assess the subjective impairments experienced by people with chronic wounds in different quality-of-life dimensions.

Material and methods

The study design was a quantitative cross-sectional survey. Data were collected by means of Wound-QoL (questionnaire on quality of life with chronic wounds). In total, 59 patients participated in the study.

Results

According to the results of this study, there is a need for action in all areas of Wound-QoL. Up to 64% of the participants felt moderately to severely impaired in the different QoL dimensions.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that the wound care situation seems to be optimal, the quality of life (QoL) of people with chronic wounds often is impaired. By using Wound-QoL in day-to-day wound care, the care of people with chronic wounds could be optimized on the basis of patient-related outcome factors.