Impact of Symptoms on Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Wounds.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the occurrence of symptoms and quality of life (QoL) among patients with chronic wounds and the impact of chronic wounds on QoL.

METHODS

Researchers evaluated 200 patients with chronic wounds using a general information questionnaire, a modified version of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, and the Chinese version of the Cardiff Wound Impact Questionnaire. They performed correlation and linear regression analyses to explore the impact of symptoms on QoL.

RESULTS

Mean symptoms scores were all moderately severe and ranged as follows: 0 to 7.06 ± 3.85 for mean total symptom, 0 to 2.69 ± 1.33 for mean frequency, 0 to 2.27 ± 1.02 for mean severity, and 0 to 2.29 ± 1.29 for mean distress. Scores on the three dimensions of QoL (daily life, social life, and well-being) were 51.61 ± 14.73, 48.63 ± 17.20, and 47.45 ± 8.65, respectively. Patients' symptoms on each subscale were negatively correlated with the dimensions of QoL (r = -0.383 to -0.559, P < .01). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that 9 symptoms collectively explained 66.1% of the total variance of daily life (P < .01); 7 symptoms explained 59.0% of the total variance of social life (P < .01); and 10 symptoms explained 59.6% of the total variance of well-being (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic wounds had high levels of psychological symptoms and moderate QoL, scoring lowest on well-being. Sleep disruption, limitations in activity, and scarring were the main symptoms affecting their QoL. Nurses should prioritize managing these symptoms to improve patients' QoL.