Healthcare beliefs of Indian patients living with leg and foot ulcers

This article presents the results of a previously unexplored aspect of qualitative leg ulcer research. The study has examined the lived experience and cultural illness explanations of a sample of British-Indian patients living with leg and foot ulceration. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 16 Indian patients drawn from leg ulcer clinics and district nursing lists in Ealing Primary Care Trust and Hounslow Primary Care Trust. Eight respondents had venous ulceration, seven were diabetic and had ulcers of arterial aetiology, and one had ulceration due to lymphoedema. Popular perceptions of the cause of leg ulceration were influenced by the humoral theories of balance and imbalance. Other explanations included poor circulation, lowered immunity, bad blood, being cursed and doing something wrong in a past life or this life.     

Actico: a short-stretch bandage in venous leg ulcer management

Actico compression bandage system (Activa Healthcare) completes the prevention and treatment regime of venous leg ulcer management. Actico gives the patient comfort by being a simple two-layer compression bandage system that is also effective and which stays in place because of its cohesive nature. This product focus looks at the impact of venous leg ulcers, the use of compression and focuses on short-stretch bandages and the Actico bandage system.     

Rosidal K: a short-stretch compression bandage system

Management of venous leg ulcers account for a large proportion of the work of healthcare professionals, especially for those who are community based. Multilayer and long-stretch bandage systems have been used successfully for many years in venous leg ulcer management. Rosidal K, a short-stretch bandage, is now also becoming more widely accepted in this country as an effective and cost-effective bandage system. This product focus looks at bandage systems and examines the research supporting the use of short-stretch bandages and Rosidal K.     

Living with venous leg ulceration: issues concerning adherence

Compression therapy is advocated for the treatment of chronic venous leg ulceration and the proportion of patients whose ulcers heal appears to be directly related to adherence (Moffatt, 2004). The aim of this study was to examine patients' understanding of adherence, in terms of their own experiences of compression bandage systems. Following full ethical approval, a purposeful sample of 6 participants was recruited to take part in a focus group. Free-flowing conversation was encouraged so that the participants could discuss issues that were important to them, although a series of prompts were available to stimulate the conversation when necessary. Four major themes were identified using a phenomenological approach: frustration with the healthcare system leading to a feeling of complacency with primary healthcare teams; functional limitations leading to adaptation of everyday life situations (e.g. bathing and coping with pain); emotional reactions affecting well-being and body image, and perception of others; and avoidance of transport, shopping and holidays.     

Community nurses', home carers' and patients' perceptions of factors affecting venous leg ulcer recurrence and management of services

AIM: This study examines the feasibility of utilizing social service home carers (SSHC) to provide a collaborative approach with community nurses for the provision of leg ulcer aftercare in four National Health Service (NHS) Trusts. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into what community nurses and people with healed venous leg ulcers felt influenced leg ulcer recurrence. BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that provision of community-based leg ulcer clinics has improved healing rates of venous leg ulcers, yet recurrence remains a problem. The reasons for this are far from clear, and further research is required before unequivocal support can be given to one approach to the provision of care for this client group. Collaborative approaches to the provision of leg ulcer aftercare are beginning to receive more attention. It has been recognized that social service health carers could be co-opted to provide essential aftercare once healing has occurred, although the logistics of this approach have not been fully explored. METHODS: This study was conducted in four NHS Trusts. Stage one used focus groups to explore the perceptions of district nurses (n = 15) and social service health carers (n = 15) of a leg ulcer shared care project and to gain insight into factors that they felt influenced recurrence. The second stage used semistructured interviews (n = 12) to explore the perceptions that people with healed leg ulcers have about factors influencing ulcer recurrence. FINDINGS: Key themes emerging from this study were: health promotion is perceived by community nurses and patients to be ineffective and leg ulcer aftercare services are fragmented. Organizational factors such as time constraints and limited resources were cited by community nurses and home carers as being responsible for high leg ulcer recurrence rates. Community nurses expressed a desire to delegate preventative aspects of leg ulcer care to home carers rather than participate in health promotion strategies to support healing behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: A strategy aimed at supporting healing behaviour in elderly people has the potential to reduce the recurrence of leg ulceration and improve quality of life. The findings suggest that such a strategy needs to rationalize delivery of leg ulcer aftercare to provide seamless care. It needs to improve carers' and patients' understanding of factors influencing leg ulcer recurrence and facilitate development of a more balanced professional--patient relationship.     

充气加压治疗对下肢静脉性溃疡患者伤口愈合效果的Meta分析

目的 比较充气加压治疗与短延展绷带压力治疗对下肢静脉性溃疡患者伤口愈合的影响。 方法 计算机检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、CINAHL、Web of Science、中国知网、万方、维普、中国生物医学文献数据库中关于充气加压治疗与短延展绷带压力治疗对下肢静脉性溃疡患者伤口愈合效果的随机对照试验。检索时限为建库至2021年1月20日。2名研究者独立按照纳入与排除标准筛选文献、提取资料和评价方法学质量后,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。 结果 最终纳入6篇随机对照试验,共350例患者。Meta分析结果显示,充气加压治疗与短延展绷带压力治疗对下肢静脉性溃疡患者伤口愈合率[RR=0.88,95%CI（0.71,1.09）,P=0.25]、伤口面积变化[MD=-3.22,95%CI（-6.73,0.28）,P=0.07]、伤口愈合速度[SMD=1.45,95%CI（-0.31,3.21）,P=0.11]、不良事件发生率[RR=0.55,95%CI（0.08,3.75）,P=0.54]的影响,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。 结论 充气加压治疗对下肢静脉性溃疡患者伤口愈合率、伤口面积变化、伤口愈合速度以及不良事件发生率的影响与短延展绷带压力治疗效果相近。本研究纳入的文献均来自国外,未来可在国内开展相关研究,进一步明确下肢静脉性溃疡患者进行充气加压治疗的可行性和适宜性。     

The views of patients living with healed venous leg ulcers

AIM: To examine the views of patients with a diagnosis of venous insufficiency who had experienced at least one episode of venous ulceration that had been treated and healed. METHOD: Ten participants (five female, five male) were recruited from a community-based healed leg ulcer clinic. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants. The interview data were then transcribed and analysed for themes and patterns. FINDINGS: Three themes emerged: symptoms, treatment and coping mechanisms, each with sub-themes. Long-term pain, changes in body image, limitations to lifestyle and difficulties with treatment were described by participants. Level of knowledge was found to be related to the coping measures demonstrated by participants, which included non-acceptance and normalisation. CONCLUSION: Future developments and reviews of existing services in the overall management of patients with venous ulceration need to include a shift of emphasis to encompass the chronic nature of the underlying disease, with socially acceptable interventions aimed at controlling or limiting the consequences to the patient.     

Elderly persons' experiences of striving to receive care on their own terms in nursing homes

Anderberg P, Berglund A-L. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16 : 64–68
Elderly persons' experiences of striving to receive care on their own terms in nursing homes
Elderly persons' participation in and decisions about their own care need more attention. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of elderly persons' experiences of care and help, and how their lives change in nursing homes. Fifteen elderly persons living in four nursing homes were interviewed about their experiences of needing care and help in their daily life. The interviews were analysed using van Manen's phenomenological approach. Elderly persons' experiences of care and help were described as: a balance between sorrow and relief, a struggle to maintain control and connectedness, managing to live in the present and yet worrying about the future, and an attempt to hide one's vulnerability in order to be accepted and create an inner calm in an exposed situation. In conclusion, important issues were raised concerning elderly persons' perspectives on care and help in daily life in nursing homes.     

Cohesive short-stretch vs four-layer bandages for venous leg ulcers

Nurses today are employing more and more evidence base within their practice. This must be carefully balanced with their ability to offer patients choice about treatment options for venous leg ulceration. Knowledge of only one particular compression bandage system is inadequate for nurses working within this area. This article aims to examine the evidence base for the use of compression bandaging in the treatment of leg ulceration. It explores results of current randomised controlled trials in this area pertaining to four-later bandage (4LB) and cohesive short-stretch bandage (CSSB) systems. The advantages and disadvantages of the 4LB and CSSB are explored and application method of CSSB is explained. Concordance is and important issue that affects successful leg ulcer management (Moffatt, 2004a): if this can be achieved through offering patients choice of treatment bandages, then more successful treatment will be achieved for patients.     

Functional ability in female leg ulcer patients — a challenge for physiotherapy

Background and Purpose . Venous leg ulceration represents a global health problem affecting predominantly elderly women. Traditionally, functional problems in this group of patients have attracted modest attention from wound care providers and physiotherapists. The aim of the present study was to describe and quantify disease consequences in female leg ulcer patients as a background for future physiotherapy interventions, using the nomenclature of the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Method . A prospective study was conducted in 34 women aged 60–85 years with current or previous venous leg ulcer as compared to 27 age‐matched non‐ulcer subjects. The outcome variables were pain, ankle range of motion, walking speed, walking endurance, self‐perceived exertion, mobility, activities of daily living (ADL), physical activity, general health, life satisfaction and use of walking aids and community services. Established instruments were utilized and categorized within ICF domains to provide a conceptual framework and basis for physiotherapeutic research. Results . Leg ulcer patients showed significantly reduced values of ankle range of motion, walking speed and endurance, self‐perceived exertion, mobility, ADL and physical activity level as compared to control subjects. Patients suffering from active ulceration were more negatively affected, and more of them had pain than post‐ulcer fellows. By contrast, general health and life satisfaction were similarly rated by the two study groups. Conclusions . Elderly females in our study with chronic leg ulcer of venous aetiology had significant mobility impairments, but the reasons and consequences of these impairments remain to be elucidated. The potential of preventive measures and physical rehabilitation to aid functioning and prospects of leg ulcer repair need to be investigated in future studies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Older women's experience of living with chronic leg ulceration

In this study the authors sought to gain insight into the lives of older women, to focus on the experience of living with leg ulcers and to explore women's views by talking to them about their experiences. Twelve English-speaking women aged over 70 years who had experienced leg ulceration for 3 years or more were interviewed. Analysis of the interview text revealed two overarching themes: (i) gaining and maintaining control over vulnerable limb(s); and (ii) lifestyle consequences of chronic leg ulceration and impaired mobility. These themes contained several subthemes including: (i) nagging pain; (ii) self-expertise and infection; (iii) leakage, smell and embarrassment; (iv) fighting for skin and limb integrity; (v) wearing non-preferred apparel; (vi) loneliness; and (vii) coping, determination and hope. The findings of this research show that elderly women who live with leg ulcers experience multiple consequences. While the everyday problems of living with an unhealed would are addressed by the community nurse, other more subtle consequences may be overlooked. Recognition of the complex and sometimes hidden concerns of these women could help to avert the sense of helplessness which currently exists.     

A new cohesive short-stretch bandage and its application

The undisputed optimum treatment for venous leg ulcers is compression therapy, where an external appliance (multilayer, short-stretch bandaging and compression hosiery) promotes venous return through graduated compression of the tissues and capillaries. However, this is not always acceptable to the patient, particularly when the patient's social life is affected with malodour and pain associated with venous leg ulcers, thereby reducing quality of life. There is a psychosocial consideration when the bandaging system is bulky, hot and difficulty is found with the fitting of shoes. An alternative and clinically effective solution is essential if the wound is to heal. In this case study, the patient was provided with a cohesive and short-stretch compression bandage (Actico), which allowed her to continue her social life while effectively treating her ulcer.     

Compression-induced pulsatile blood flow changes in human legs

Initial and sustained (7-h) impacts of foot-to-knee compression bandaging on leg arterial pulsatile blood flow were assessed by nuclear magnetic resonance flowmetry in eight healthy supine subjects. A widely used bandaging method (zinc impregnated gauze + Coban) and a slight variant (Coban only) were applied one week apart to one leg. Blood flow was measured on each day of bandage application before and after bandaging and after 7 h of normal activity. Initial mean sub-bandage pressures (lateral gaiter) were between 28·4 and 28·9 mmHg but were significantly reduced after 7 h to 16·3–19·4 mmHg. Overall below-knee pulsatile blood perfusion was initially significantly increased by both methods mainly due to increased proximal blood flow. Bandaging was also associated with a decrease in blood perfusion of the nonbandaged control leg mainly due to a decrease in distal blood flow. Neither of these effects were sustained after 7 h. The fact that neither sub-bandage pressure nor blood flow was sustained may indicate a causal linkage, a concept consistent with the finding of a linear relationship between afternoon blood flow and sub-bandage pressure reductions. The implications of the present findings for venous ulcer therapy are speculative and based on the concept that arterial pulsatile flow augmentation is a positive feature. If so, more frequent bandage changes to provide transient flow stimulation or use of bandages to better maintain sub-bandage pressure to sustain flow increases may be useful.     

Older patients' experience of dressing changes on venous leg ulcers: more than just a docile patient

Aim and objective. The aim of this paper was to describe the lived experiences of older patients with venous leg ulcers, during dressing changes as out patients with a focus of their concerns about care interventions. Research on wound care management has focused on treatment of venous leg ulcer, wound assessments and the choice of dressing material. Few studies have focused on the patients’ experience of dressing changes. Design. Fifteen older people with verified venous leg ulcers were recruited in a metropolitan area of Sweden. Data were collected with research interviews in the form of dialogue. Method. Data were analysed with an interpretative phenomenological method developed by Benner. Results. Twelve women and three men participated. The themes were: ‘being cared for with a skilful touch’, ‘feelings of belonging, continuity and affinity’, and ‘being suppressed into a state where one loses control, leading to feelings of discomfort’. The participants’ experiences varied. Some were satisfied and felt that there was a mutual understanding between caregivers and patients, while others were dissatisfied and felt objectified. Understanding the patients as human beings and considering illness as lived experience helped the care providers to perform skilful wound care, in an atmosphere of mutual understanding. Conclusion. The patients suffering from venous leg ulcers wanted to feel worthy of wound treatment and to meet skilful, confident and gentle nurses in a sharing atmosphere. Nurses must be perceptive to the individual's bodily experience of the leg ulcer. Relevance to clinical practice. Wound care requires a multidimensional clinical approach that involves not only medical and technical care strategies of dressings and bandages, but also aspects that concern the situated‐based illness experience that persons suffering from leg ulcers may face.     

Age, gender, and living circumstances: discriminating older adults on death anxiety

The present study examines the effect of age, gender, and living circumstances on elderly persons' death anxiety. For this purpose, 299 persons attending public parks (average age = 70 years) were interviewed using the Death Anxiety Survey Schedule, which is a set of 10 questions related to death anxiety from an Indian perspective. Women, those relatively older, and those living with family were significantly more anxious about the word death. The gender and age results in this Indian sample are similar to that in some western samples. The results that those living with family have significantly higher death anxiety are not in agreement with past western studies and may reflect cultural differences in anxiety about death.     

A review of the four layer vs the short stretch bandage system

This article reviews current evidence in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. In particular, discussion focuses on whether the four layer bandage system (4LB) or the short stretch (SSB) system should be considered as the first-line treatment of venous leg ulcers. Using research terminology, relevant studies are analysed for academic metric. In addition, a concluding discussion is held to consider the practical benefits of selecting a bandage strategy.     

A placebo controlled trial of ultrasound therapy in chronic leg ulceration.

A controlled study of the effects of ultrasound on healing chronic leg ulcers was carried out in conjunction with standard treatment on 38 patients divided randomly into two groups. All patients received standard treatment (paste impregnated bandage and a self-adhesive elastic bandage plus placebo ultrasound or ultrasound (1.0 watt/cm2 at 1 MHz, for 10 min) twice weekly for 8 weeks. Percentage healed ulcer area and number of healed ulcers were compared after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. There were no significant differences in the proportion of healed ulcers or ulcer area in the ultrasound group as compared with the placebo group.     

Does social support impact on venous ulcer healing or recurrence?

Much of the leg ulcer literature focuses on clinical assessment and management of chronic venous leg ulceration in order to achieve healing. Chronic venous leg ulceration, however, should be classed as a chronic or long-term condition, defined as a condition,'that is currently not curable and therefore can only be managed', although it is not generally acknowledged as such. There is an extensive body of literature which focuses on the psychosocial issues that impact negatively on the quality of life of patients with long-term conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis. These include the emotional impact of pain, social support, coping mechanisms and response to stress and treatment adherence. Health care professionals are becoming increasingly aware of the impact psychosocial issues may have on wound healing in general, but particularly, in chronic venous leg ulceration and prevention of recurrence. This article reviews the current literature on the role of social support and its impact on venous ulcer healing/recurrence and concludes that health professionals caring for patients with chronic venous ulceration need to consider alternative outcome intervention measures for patients for whom healing may not be a realistic option.