Associação das características sociodemográficas, de saúde e clínicas com status de cicatrização de úlcera venosas em pessoas idosas

Abstract

Venous ulcers are caused by the sum of genetic and environmental factors, and their healing process and the outcome of the lesion are influenced by the patient's sociodemographic, health and clinical characteristics. Together, these have an impact on the well-being and general condition of those suffering from the lesions. This study aims to analyze the association between sociodemographic, health and clinical characteristics and the maintenance of active lesions in older adults being treated for venous ulcers. This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study carried out in Primary Health Care in the municipality of Parnamirim, Brazil, between 2020 and 2021. Data was collected using sociodemographic, clinical and health forms. The data was analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test, correlation and Fisher's exact test. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. The following factors were identified as being associated with the maintenance of an active ulcer: profession/occupation, living situation, presence of neoplasm, use of medication, altered mental state and mobility; altered lesion edge, devitalized tissue, recurrences, pain, oedema, exudate, care carried out by an untrained professional, not being accompanied in a specialized center, not using compressive therapy and perilesional area with severe alterations. Therefore, the study showed an association between sociodemographic, health and clinical characteristics and the maintenance of active ulcers in elderly patients.