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Health-related quality of life of diabetic foot ulcer patients and their caregivers.

Authors :
Nabuurs-Franssen, M. H.
Huijberts, M. S. P.
Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman, A. C.
Willems, J.
Schaper, N. C.
Source :
Diabetologia; Sep2005, Vol. 48 Issue 9, p1906-1910, 5p
Publication Year :
2005

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis: The effect of a foot ulcer on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with diabetes mellitus and their caregivers is unclear, and was therefore evaluated prospectively in this multicentre study. Methods: HRQoL according to the 36-item health-related quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) of 294 patients (ulcer duration ≥4 weeks) and 153 caregivers was analysed at baseline (time-point zero [T0]), once the ulcer was healed or after 20 weeks (time-point 1 [T1]), and 3 months later (time-point 2 [T2]). Patients with severe ischaemia were excluded. Results: The mean age of the patients was 60 years, 72% were male, and time since diagnosis of diabetes was 17 years. Patients reported a low HRQoL on all SF-36 subscales. At T1, HRQoL scores in physical and social functioning were higher in patients with a healed vs a non-healed ulcer (p«0.05). At T2, these differences were larger, with higher scores for physical and social functioning, role physical and the physical summary score (all p«0.05). Within-group analysis revealed that HRQoL improved in different subscales in patients with a healed ulcer and worsened in patients with a persistent ulcer from T0 to T2 (all p«0.05). The caregivers of patients with a persisting ulcer had more emotional difficulties at T2. Conclusions/interpretation: Diabetic patients with a healed foot ulcer had a higher HRQoL than patients with a persisting ulcer. Healing of a foot ulcer resulted in a marked improvement of several SF-36 subscales 3 months after healing (from T0 to T2). HRQoL declined progressively when the ulcer did not heal. A diabetic foot ulcer appeared to be a large emotional burden on the patients' caregivers, as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0012186X
Volume :
48
Issue :
9
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Diabetologia
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
18241668
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-005-1856-6