The Impact of Venous Leg Ulcers on Body Image and Self-esteem. (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salomé, Geraldo Magela; de Almeida, Sergio Aguinaldo; de Jesus Pereira, Maria Teresa; Massahud, Marcelo Renato; de Oliveira Moreira, Carmelita Naira; de Brito, Maria José Azevedo; Ferreira, Lydia Masako
• Is Part Of: Advances in skin & wound care. Volume 29:Number 7(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: venous ulcer -- self-concept -- body image -- quality of life; Wounds and injuries -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Wound healing -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- United States -- Periodicals; 617.106
• DOI: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000484243.32091.0c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1527-7941

Abstract

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate self-esteem and body image in patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs). DESIGN: A multicenter, prospective, descriptive, analytical, clinical study. SETTINGS: A nursing care and education center of a university hospital, a health center, and an outpatient wound care clinic in Brazil. PATIENTS: Fifty-nine consecutive adult patients with VLUs and Doppler ankle-brachial index ranging from 0.8 to 1.0 were recruited for the study. Exclusion criteria were mixed ulcers, arterial ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients, the Brazilian version of the Body Investment Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-esteem (RSE)/UNIFESP-EPM (São Paulo da Universidade Federal de São Paulo–Escola Paulista de Medicina) scale were administered to all patients. MAIN RESULTS: Most participants were women, aged between 60 and 70 years, and smokers; 33 (56%) were divorced, widowed, or single, and 26 (44%) were married. The patients had the ulcer for a mean of 5.42 years. Exudate and foul odor were present in most cases. Twenty-one ulcers (36%) measured 29 cm 2 or less in surface area, and 17 (29%) ulcers measured between 30 and 49 cm 2 (mean, 3.39 cm 2 ). The mean RSE score was 22.66, indicating low self-esteem. The mean Body Investment Scale total score was 27.49, and the scores on the body image and body touch subscales were also low, indicating negative feelings about the body. CONCLUSION: Patients with VLUs had low self-esteem and negative feelings about their bodies.