Healing as a Determinant of Quality of Life in Individuals with Venous Leg Ulcers: A Quasi-Experimental Clinical Study

Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of healing Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU) on Quality of Life (QoL) in patients receiving primary healthcare in Brazil. Method: An observational, longitudinal, quasi-experimental clinical trial was conducted with patients suffering from VLU, monitored in a specialized service for chronic wound treatment from August 2020 (T1) to November 2021 (T2). A non-probabilistic sample of individuals utilizing these services underwent follow-up consultations for at least one year, employing Unna boot compressive therapy as the treatment of choice. To measure the variables of interest, we utilized the Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire (CCVUQ). The study groups were divided into the Healing Group (HG) and the Non-Healing Group (UG). Results: In the final sample of n=103 individuals, n=43 (41.7%) showed healing after one year of treatment (HG). Between T1 and T2, the UG exhibited improvement in SF-36 scores in the Social Functioning (n=45/ p<0.001), Physical Functioning (n=33/ p=0.014), General Health (n=40/ p=0.001), and Pain (n=40/ p=0.001) domains, but worsened in the Emotional Aspects (n=40/ p<0.001) and Physical Health Dimension (n=50/ p<0.001). However, in the VLU-specific QoL assessment (CCVUQ), they deteriorated in the Aesthetic aspect (n=40/ p=0.009). The HG showed improvement in the SF-36 scores in Social Functioning (n=34/ p<0.001), Physical Functioning (n=33/ p<0.001), and Physical Health Dimension (n=38/ p<0.001). With the CCVUQ assessment, there was an improvement in scores in the domains of Domestic Activities (n=30/ p=0.001) and Social Interaction (n=30/ p=0.009). Conclusion: QoL showed significant improvement in aspects related to functionality, physical performance, and social interaction in the HG after one year of compressive therapy treatment. The UG was the only group to exhibit significant deteriorations in QoL.