Examining the unmet needs of chronic wound patients with common mental disorders

Common mental disorders (CMD) are highly morbid conditions not routinely screened for in chronic wound care. A comorbid psychiatric condition's influence on a patient with chronic wounds' quality of life (QoL) is unknown. This study investigates the implications of CMD on QoL in patients with chronic lower extremity (LE) wounds.

This cross-sectional study surveyed patients with chronic LE wounds evaluated in our multidisciplinary clinic between June-July 2022. Surveys included validated physical and social QoL questionnaires, including the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-3a) Scale v2.0, 12-Item Short-Form (SF-12), and a screening tool for common mental disorders, the Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 (SRQ-20). Data regarding patient demographics, comorbidities, psychiatric diagnoses, and wound care history were retrospectively collected.

Of the 265 identified patients, 39 (14.7%) had documented psychiatric diagnoses, most often depression or anxiety. The diagnosed cohort had higher median SRQ-20 scores (6, IQR: 6 vs. 3, IQR: 5; P < 0.001) and a higher proportion of positive screens for CMD (30.8% vs. 15.5%; P = 0.020) than non-diagnosed patients. There were no differences in physical or social QoL in patients with and without a psychiatric diagnosis. However, individuals screening positively for CMD experienced significantly more pain (T-score 60.2 vs. 51.4, P = 0.0052) and reduced function (LEFS 26.0 vs. 41.0, P < 0.0000).

This study illustrates that patients with chronic LE wounds experience potentially meaningful psychologic distress. Further, symptoms of a CMD (SRQ-20 ≥8), rather than a previous diagnosis, may influence pain and functional outcomes. These findings emphasize the potential relevance of psychological distress in this population and reinforce the need for further investigation of actionable responses to this apparent need.