[Quality of life in patients with chronic wounds]

The quality of life of patients with chronic wounds is significantly reduced. Through pain, wound odor, and exudate, they experience limitations in various areas of their daily life. Pain can lead to reduced mobility, sleep disorders, or reduced food intake. Physical limitations caused by the wound itself, dependence on caregivers, and the financial burden are further influencing factors. At the same time, chronic wounds lead to changes in social life, withdrawal from friends and family, and a feeling of powerlessness over a patient's own life. Pre-existing anxiety or a depressive disorder can further negatively influence the quality of life. There are various general and diagnosis-specific assessment tools for measuring the quality of life of patients with chronic wounds. Such a survey should be carried out regularly in the course of wound therapy. Especially at the beginning of treatment, it is important to identify limiting factors and to evaluate them regularly during wound therapy and to work out possible solutions together with the patient.