Health-related Quality of Life and Depression in Older Patients With Pressure Ulcers

Objectives. To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depression in older patients with pressure ulcers who were living at home in the community. Methods. A cross-sectional analytical study conducted in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Forty-two outpatients 60 years and older, showing no cognitive deficit who were living in the community, participated in the study. They were divided into two groups: the study group (21 patients with pressure ulcers), and control group (21 patients without pressure ulcers). The instruments Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36), and 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) were used, respectively, to identify cognitive impairment, and assess HRQoL and depression. Results. Among the 36 pressure ulcers detected on examination, Stage II ulcers were the most common finding (50%), and the sacral region was the most common location (44.5%). Patients with pressure ulcers had significantly lower HRQoL scores than controls in all SF-36 domains, with the lowest scores being reported for physical functioning, role physical and role emotional (P < 0.0001). Seventeen (80.9%) of the patients in the study group were identified as having depression (P = 0.002). Conclusion. A high rate of depression (GDS-15) was found in elderly patients with pressure ulcers, who also reported lower HRQoL scores in all SF-36 domains compared with controls.Sapucai Valley Univ UNIVAS, Dept Clin Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Plast Surg, Dept Surg, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Plast Surg, Dept Surg, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc