Occurrence and Severity of Pain in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A 12-Week Longitudinal Study
Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the dynamics of pain severity and its predictors in a group of patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Methods: A 12-week longitudinal study included 754 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Subjective severity of pain was measured at weekly inter...
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MDPI AG
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/11/3399 |
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| author | Paulina Mościcka Justyna Cwajda-Białasik Arkadiusz Jawień Maciej Sopata Maria T. Szewczyk |
| author_facet | Paulina Mościcka Justyna Cwajda-Białasik Arkadiusz Jawień Maciej Sopata Maria T. Szewczyk |
| author_sort | Paulina Mościcka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the dynamics of pain severity and its predictors in a group of patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Methods: A 12-week longitudinal study included 754 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Subjective severity of pain was measured at weekly intervals with an 11-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: A significant decrease in VAS scores has been observed throughout the entire analyzed period. Higher severity of pain during follow-up was independently predicted by the presence of pus and/or unpleasant smell from the ulceration during the first visit, as well as by the occurrence of posterior and/or circumferential ulcers. The presence of ulcer redness during the first visit was associated with lesser pain severity; also, a significant interaction effect between the ulceration redness and warmth was observed. Conclusions: Implementation of complex holistic care may contribute to a substantial decrease in the occurrence and severity of pain in a patient with venous leg ulcers. Pain control seems to depend primarily on clinical parameters and topography of venous ulcers. The predictors of pain severity identified in this study might be considered during the planning of tailored care for patients with venous leg ulcers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:23:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c9a5340168f847b88f97a6ad758a89b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0383 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:23:02Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-c9a5340168f847b88f97a6ad758a89b82023-11-20T18:18:41ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832020-10-01911339910.3390/jcm9113399Occurrence and Severity of Pain in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A 12-Week Longitudinal StudyPaulina Mościcka0Justyna Cwajda-Białasik1Arkadiusz Jawień2Maciej Sopata3Maria T. Szewczyk4Department of Perioperative Nursing, Department of Surgical Nursing and Chronic Wound Care, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Perioperative Nursing, Department of Surgical Nursing and Chronic Wound Care, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, PolandChronic Wound Treatment Laboratory, Chair and Department of Palliative Medicine, Hospice Palium, K. Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 61-245 Poznan, PolandDepartment of Perioperative Nursing, Department of Surgical Nursing and Chronic Wound Care, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, PolandBackground: The aim of the study was to analyze the dynamics of pain severity and its predictors in a group of patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Methods: A 12-week longitudinal study included 754 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Subjective severity of pain was measured at weekly intervals with an 11-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: A significant decrease in VAS scores has been observed throughout the entire analyzed period. Higher severity of pain during follow-up was independently predicted by the presence of pus and/or unpleasant smell from the ulceration during the first visit, as well as by the occurrence of posterior and/or circumferential ulcers. The presence of ulcer redness during the first visit was associated with lesser pain severity; also, a significant interaction effect between the ulceration redness and warmth was observed. Conclusions: Implementation of complex holistic care may contribute to a substantial decrease in the occurrence and severity of pain in a patient with venous leg ulcers. Pain control seems to depend primarily on clinical parameters and topography of venous ulcers. The predictors of pain severity identified in this study might be considered during the planning of tailored care for patients with venous leg ulcers.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/11/3399healingleg ulcerspainulcerationVASvenous insufficiency |
| spellingShingle | Paulina Mościcka Justyna Cwajda-Białasik Arkadiusz Jawień Maciej Sopata Maria T. Szewczyk Occurrence and Severity of Pain in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A 12-Week Longitudinal Study Journal of Clinical Medicine healing leg ulcers pain ulceration VAS venous insufficiency |
| title | Occurrence and Severity of Pain in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A 12-Week Longitudinal Study |
| title_full | Occurrence and Severity of Pain in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A 12-Week Longitudinal Study |
| title_fullStr | Occurrence and Severity of Pain in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A 12-Week Longitudinal Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occurrence and Severity of Pain in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A 12-Week Longitudinal Study |
| title_short | Occurrence and Severity of Pain in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers: A 12-Week Longitudinal Study |
| title_sort | occurrence and severity of pain in patients with venous leg ulcers a 12 week longitudinal study |
| topic | healing leg ulcers pain ulceration VAS venous insufficiency |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/11/3399 |
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