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.