Prevalence of pain and associated factors in venous ulcer patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain is a very frequent symptom in venous ulcer patients and may be persistent and/or exacerbated during dressing change. Pain affects quality of life and may negatively impact wound healing. This study aimed at identifying the prevalence of pain and at evaluating major painassociated factors in venous ulcer patients.METHODS: This is a transversal study carried out in a Teaching Hospital of Natal, RN. Convenience sample was made up of 100 venous ulcer patients seen by the angiology ambulatory of this hospital. A structured interview form with socio-demographic and health characteristics, and assistance and injury characteristics was used, in addition to two questions about pain from the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36). Mann-Whitney test was used to compare categorical variables. Significance level was p