1. Quality of life psychosocial characteristics in Greek patients with leg ulcers: a case control study
- Author
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Kouris, Anargyros, Armyra, Kalliopi, Christodoulou, Christos, Sgontzou, Themis, Karypidis, Dimitrios, Kontochristopoulos, George, Liordou, Fotini, Zakopoulou, Nikoletta, and Zouridaki, Eftychia
- Subjects
Adult ,Aged, 80 and over ,Male ,Greece ,Patients ,Depression ,Leg Ulcer ,Original Articles ,Anxiety ,Middle Aged ,Severity of Illness Index ,Self Concept ,Case-Control Studies ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Chronic Disease ,Quality of Life ,Humans ,Female ,Stress, Psychological ,Aged - Abstract
Chronic leg ulcers are a public health problem that can have a significant impact on the patient's physical, socioeconomic and psychological status. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life, anxiety and depression, self-esteem and loneliness in patients suffering from leg ulcers. A total of 102 patients were enrolled in the study. The quality of life, anxiety and depression, self-esteem and loneliness of the patient were assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale (RSES) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-Version 3), respectively. The mean DLQI score was 13·38 ± 2·59, suggesting a serious effect on the quality of life of patients. Those with leg ulcers had statistically significant higher scores according to the HADS-total scale (P = 0·031) and HADS-anxiety subscale (P = 0·015) compared with healthy volunteers. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups concerning the UCLA-scale (P = 0·029). Female patients presented with a higher score of anxiety (P = 0·027) and social isolation (P = 0·048), and worse quality of life (P = 0·018) than male patients. A severe quality of life impairment was documented, reflecting a significant psychosocial impact on patients with leg ulcers.
- Published
- 2014