Pain, Depression, and Quality of Life: A Description of Factors Related to Venous Leg Wounds

Aim

The aim of this research is to measure pain and wound severity, including wetness / odor, and to describe any correlation to depression and quality of life in people with chronic venous leg wounds (CVLW).

Background

CVLW cause pain, disability and require significant nursing resources.  Despite proper treatment, only 50 to 70% of people heal after six months.  Physical, psychological, and quality of life factors are associated with CVLW.  In turn, depression, reduced quality of life, and stress have been shown to affect the ability of a person to heal.

Method

Study format is a descriptive, correlational design; data collection  planned at oupatient wound facilities from July to December 2010. A convenience sample of 107 participants are to complete the Brief Pain Inventory – Short Form (BPI-SF), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Medical Outcomes Study: 36 – Item Short Form Instrument (SF-36).  The Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (B-JWAT), is used to describe wound severity, and includes a rating of exudate. Wound odor, patient history, and demographics are also described, obtained from the record.

Statistcs

  Fifty participants have completed instruments. Preliminary results include significant correlation between wound duration and pain severity  r(48) = .30, p < 03. A stepwise linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the prediction of the CES-D score from the SF-36 Physical Function, Energy, Social and General Health scores, as well as the BPI pain severity and pain interference scores. Based on these results the SF-36 Social and the BPI-SF Pain Severity scores were most predictive of the CES-D score, R2 = .50, adjusted R2 = .48, F (1,47) = 7.25, p < .01.

Conclusion

 Based on preliminary findings, the social function and pain severity scores appear to be better predictors of the depression score than wound severity measures, including drainage and odor.