Quality of life and self-esteem of people with chronic wounds

Chronic wounds (CW) in lower limbs cause psychological and social symptoms that affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Objective: to analyze the influence of sociodemographic and clinical variables and self-esteem on the QoL related to the health of patients with CW. Observational, analytical and transversal study with a quantitative approach. 99 patients composed the sample. A sociodemographic and clinical characterization questionnaire, a QoL abbreviated version questionnaire for people with wounds (FLQA-wk*), and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used. The majority of participants were men (60.6%); mean age of 61.11 years; incomplete elementary education (25.3%); married (41.4%); and with venous ulcer (58.6%). The average wound time was 60.24 months and the number of wounds was 1.27. The average self-esteem score was 26.42 points, and a better QoL result was found in the psychological well-being dimension (2.85). Female patients, with a companion, uneducated and with diabetic foot ulcer showed a better QoL and the self-esteem significantly influenced the score of QoL (β=-0.285; p=0.004). Thus, knowing the clinical characteristics of the wounds and the current situation of the patients regarding their QoL provides a better understanding of the complaints and helps the health care planning aimed at contributing to the improvement of QoL.