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The Wound-QoL assesses patients' health-related quality of life. Quick and valid interpretation of the results is crucial, but no thresholds have yet been established. Additionally, counting top box responses might be a quick approximation to the Wound-QoL score itself. The aim of this study was to develop Wound-QoL bands (i.e., thresholds) and to analyse top box responses. Patients from European countries completed the Wound-QoL and a global question. We grouped patients' Wound-QoL scores and mapped these on the global question score. Upon this, we developed sets of Wound-QoL bands and calculated the weighted kappa (κ) coefficient of agreement for each set. Moreover, we analysed the correlation of the sum of top box responses with patients' Wound-QoL. The 305 patients (mean age: 68.5 years; 52.8% male) had most frequently leg ulcers (49.2%). The final set of Wound-QoL bands with the highest κ coefficient (0.564 and 0.550) was 0–0.25, not at all/rarely impaired; > 0.25 to 1, a little; > 1 to 2, moderately; > 2 to 3, quite a lot; > 3 to 4, very much. Top box responses showed strong correlation with the Wound-QoL scores (0.961–0.961). We are confident that the Wound-QoL bands will facilitate interpretation of Wound-QoL data in routine care as well as in research.
Chronic wounds can severely limit patient's social life. This cross-sectional study investigated quantitatively social support of patients with chronic wounds, its association with health-related quality of life as well as qualitatively changes in social participation of these patients. Overall, 263 patients from seven countries participated. The most frequent wound class was leg ulcer (49.2%). Results revealed generally high levels of social support (mean global score: 5.5) as measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. However, individuals differed considerably (range 1.0–7.0). All dimensions of social support differed by patients' family and living situations (p < 0.001 to p = 0.040) and were positively correlated with generic health-related quality of life (r = 0.136–0.172). Having children, living with others and being in a relationship were significant predictors of having higher global social support. Patients reported great support from family members. Many participants reported no changes in relationships with friends. Wound care managers took an important role and provided additional emotional support. Patients reported a range of discontinued activities. Despite the high overall level of social support, inter-individual differences should be acknowledged. The importance of family carers should be acknowledged to be able to reduce caregiver burden and to ensure high-qualitative wound care.
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