Hydrocolloid Dressing Application in the Treatment of Chronic Wounds and Relation to Quality of Life.

The aim was to analyze relationship between the application of hydrocolloid dressings in the treatment of chronic wounds and relation to the patient quality of life. The study included 33 vascular outpatients. The authors constructed a questionnaire for assessing the level of daily functional impairment and the quality of life. Participants assessed the level of pain, level of decreased independence in daily activities, level of sleep disturbance, difficulties with keeping hygiene, and level of odor caused by a chronic wound. Significant differences were found in all aspects of chronic wound interference with the quality of life after the application of hydrocolloid dressings: level of pain (t (23)=4.14), independence in everyday activity (t (23)=5.01), interference with sleep (t (23)=3.89), hygiene (t (23)=3.00) and an unpleasant odor (t (23)=3.66) (p<0.01 all). According to the physician's assessment, the treatment of chronic wound with hydrocolloid dressing significantly improved patient condition in 84.8% of cases. The application of hydrocolloid dressings led to reduction.