Pain prevalence, socio-demographic and clinical features in patients with chronic ulcers

• Published in: Journal of tissue viability Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 180 - 184
• Main Authors: Domingues, Elaine Aparecida Rocha, Cavalcanti, Marianna Carvalho e Souza Leão, Costa, Paula Cristina Pereira da, Lopes, Maria Helena Baena de Moraes, Monteiro, Inês, Alexandre, Neusa Maria Costa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2016
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Chronic Disease; Critical Care; Humans; Leg Ulcer - epidemiology; Leg ulcers; Nursing; Nursing care; Pain; Prevalence; Wounds and lesions; Brazil; Leg ulcers; Nursing care; Pain; Wounds and lesions
• ISSN: 0965-206X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2016.03.005

Abstract Chronic wounds are considered a worldwide epidemic and pain is the most frequently symptom referred by the patients who have this type of wound. The aim was to assess the prevalence of pain in chronic wounds and relate socio-demographic and clinical variables to pain. This is an analytical cross-sectional study, carried out in Basic Health Units (BHU), Family Health Strategy (ESF) and in a university hospital in two cities of Minas Gerais. 200 individuals who had chronic ulcers of different etiologies participated. Data collection took place between October 2012 and January 2013. The majority of participants (69%) reported they were in pain during the interview. Subjects with higher education had more pain. Patients with venous ulcers had less severe pain, and arterial ulcers were responsible for scoring the highest value of pain. It was found that most patients with chronic wounds feel pain; its intensity depends on the type of wound and this symptom should be recognized while caring for these patients.