Measuring the quality of life in patients with venous ulcers

J Vasc Surg. 2000 Apr;31(4):642-9. doi: 10.1067/mva.2000.104103.

Abstract

Purpose: This prospective study aimed to validate a newly designed specific measure of quality of life for patients with venous ulcers.

Methods: The study was set in a London teaching hospital and surrounding community clinics. Items for the questionnaire were selected by means of patient interviews, a literature review, and expert opinion. The questionnaire and the Short Form 36-item (SF-36) Health Survey were given to a prospective consecutive cohort of 98 patients with proven venous ulcers that were diagnosed by means of clinical and color duplex examination. Fifty-eight of the patients were women (60%), and the median age of patients was 76 years. The questionnaire was assessed for reliability, validity, and responsiveness.

Results: The ulcer-specific questionnaire showed good reliability, as assessed by means of the internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.93) and test-retest analysis (r = 0.84). Factor analysis identified four important health factors: social function, domestic activities, cosmesis, and emotional status. Validity was demonstrated by means of a high correlation with all eight domains of the SF-36 general health measure (r > 0.55, P <.001). Responsiveness was demonstrated by means of a significant reduction in the score on the ulcer questionnaire as ulcers healed at 6 and 11 weeks (P <.05).

Conclusion: Good evidence exists that a clinically derived measure for patients with venous ulcers has validity to measure the quality of life.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Emotions
  • Esthetics
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Social Adjustment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
  • Varicose Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Varicose Ulcer / psychology*
  • Varicose Ulcer / therapy
  • Wound Healing