The effectiveness of two different sub-bandage pressure values on healing and quality of life outcomes for patients with venous leg ulcers

INTRODUCTION: Venous ulcers account for over 80% of chronic wounds in the lower extremities. Venous ulcers lead to a significant decrease in the patients’ quality of life. AIM: To compare the effectiveness of two different sub-bandage pressure values on healing and quality of life outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 116 outpatients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs), one group with a moderate compression pressure of 35–40 mm Hg and the second with a high pressure > 45 mm Hg. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log rank test were used to estimate healing by type of compression. Quality of life measures included: Quality of Life Index (QL), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Patients were followed for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Kaplan-Maier analysis showed that a high pressure leads to a higher proportion of healed VLUs, compared to the moderate pressure (p = 0.011). QL, GDS and NPRS at the beginning were equalized between the groups. In patients with a high compression, there was a statistically significant increase in QL (p = 0.005), decrease in GDS (p = 0.040) and NPRS (p = 0.002) during 24 weeks. In patients with moderate compressions there was a statistically significant increase in QL (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received high pressure, healed faster. When a high pressure was applied, there was a statistically significant increase in QL, decrease in GDS and NPRS compared to the group of patients to whom the moderate pressure was applied.