Abstract | BACKGROUND: The assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with venous leg ulcers provides important information for clinical decision making, evaluation of therapeutic benefits, and prediction of survival probabilities. METHODS: Health-related quality of life and self-esteem were assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Rosenberg self-esteem (RSE) scale, respectively, in patients with venous leg ulcers treated with split-thickness skin grafts. One hundred patients with venous leg ulcers and indication for skin grafting were divided into two groups of 50 patients each: the control group (patients who received conservative treatment) and surgery group (patients who received split-thickness skin grafts). RESULTS: Patients in the surgery group reported significantly higher SF-36 scores (better health status) than controls one month after surgery, as well as 90 and 180 days postoperatively (p < 0.002). The mean total RSE score was significantly lower (indicating higher self-esteem) in the surgery group (mean RSE score, 17.54) than in the control group (mean RSE score, 24.22). CONCLUSIONS: Split-thickness skin grafting resulted in better health-related quality of life and self-esteem in patients with venous leg ulcers than did compression therapy with Unna's boot.
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Authors | Geraldo M Salomé, Leila Blanes, Lydia M Ferreira |
Journal | World journal of surgery
(World J Surg)
Vol. 38
Issue 1
Pg. 233-40
(Jan 2014)
ISSN: 1432-2323 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 24065417
(Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Quality of Life
- Self Concept
- Skin Transplantation
(psychology)
- Varicose Ulcer
(surgery)
- Young Adult
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