Kerstin Protz1, Kristina Heyer1, Joachim Dissemond2, Barbara Temme3, Karl-Christian Münter4, Ida Verheyen-Cronau5, Katharina Klose1, Carsten Hampel-Kalthoff6, Matthias Augustin1. 1. University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), CWC - Comprehensive Wound Center, Hamburg, Germany. 2. Department of Dermatology, Venereology, und Allergology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. 3. Wound Practice Berlin, Surgery, Hospital Neukölln, Berlin, Germany. 4. Group Practice Bramfeld, General Medicine, Internal Medicine and Phlebology, Hamburg, Germany. 5. District Hospital Frankenberg gGmbH, Training Center for Nursing Professions, Frankenberg, Germany. 6. ORGAMed Dortmund GmbH, Medical Care Service, Dortmund, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Compression therapy is a mainstay in the causal treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers. It facilitates healing, reduces pain and recurrences, and increases quality of life. Up until now, there is a scarcity of scientific data with respect to the level of care and the specific knowledge of patients with venous leg ulcers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: At first presentation, patients with venous leg ulcers anonymously answered a standardized questionnaire. Participating facilities nationwide included 55 outpatient care services, 32 medical practices, four wound centers, and one specialized care center. RESULTS: Overall, 177 patients (mean age of 69.4; 75.1 % women) participated in the study. The average duration of florid venous leg ulcers was 17 months. With regard to compression therapy, 31.1 % of patients received none; 40.1 % used bandages; 28.8 % used stockings. Of the latter, 13.7 % were treated with compression class III; 67.4 %, with compression class II; and 19.6 %; with compression class I. While 70.6 % put on their stockings after getting out of bed in the morning, 21.1 % wore them day and night. In 39.2 % of individuals, the stockings caused them discomfort. Merely 11.7 % owned a donning device. On average, bandages were worn for 40.7 weeks, and 69 % were used without underpadding. In 2.8 % of patients, ankle and calf circumference was measured to monitor therapeutic success. 45.9 % reported doing leg exercises. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is considered a basic therapeutic measure in venous leg ulcers, one-third of all patients received no compression treatment. Moreover, given the long duration of ulcers, adequate product selection and correct use have to be questioned, too. Our findings indicate that improvements in the level of knowledge among users and prescribers as well as patient training are required.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Compression therapy is a mainstay in the causal treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers. It facilitates healing, reduces pain and recurrences, and increases quality of life. Up until now, there is a scarcity of scientific data with respect to the level of care and the specific knowledge of patients with venous leg ulcers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: At first presentation, patients with venous leg ulcers anonymously answered a standardized questionnaire. Participating facilities nationwide included 55 outpatient care services, 32 medical practices, four wound centers, and one specialized care center. RESULTS: Overall, 177 patients (mean age of 69.4; 75.1 % women) participated in the study. The average duration of florid venous leg ulcers was 17 months. With regard to compression therapy, 31.1 % of patients received none; 40.1 % used bandages; 28.8 % used stockings. Of the latter, 13.7 % were treated with compression class III; 67.4 %, with compression class II; and 19.6 %; with compression class I. While 70.6 % put on their stockings after getting out of bed in the morning, 21.1 % wore them day and night. In 39.2 % of individuals, the stockings caused them discomfort. Merely 11.7 % owned a donning device. On average, bandages were worn for 40.7 weeks, and 69 % were used without underpadding. In 2.8 % of patients, ankle and calf circumference was measured to monitor therapeutic success. 45.9 % reported doing leg exercises. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is considered a basic therapeutic measure in venous leg ulcers, one-third of all patients received no compression treatment. Moreover, given the long duration of ulcers, adequate product selection and correct use have to be questioned, too. Our findings indicate that improvements in the level of knowledge among users and prescribers as well as patient training are required.
Authors: Jonas D Senft; Thomas Fleischhauer; Jona Frasch; Wiebke van Rees; Manuel Feißt; Simon Schwill; Christine Fink; Regina Poß-Doering; Michel Wensing; Uwe Müller-Bühl; Joachim Szecsenyi Journal: Trials Date: 2022-01-20 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: E Rabe; E Földi; H Gerlach; M Jünger; G Lulay; A Miller; K Protz; S Reich-Schupke; T Schwarz; M Stücker; E Valesky; F Pannier Journal: Hautarzt Date: 2021-01-01 Impact factor: 0.751