Role of hospital anxiety and depression on the healing of chronic leg ulcer: A prospective study

• DOI: 10.1111/iwj.13485
• Publication Date: 2020-08-26T20:44:19Z
• Authors: Navin Kumar; Farhanul Huda; Rishit Mani; Tanuj Singla; Ashikesh Kundal; Jyoti Sharma; Bhargav Gajula
• Keywords: Wound Healing; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Depression; Leg Ulcer; Humans; Prospective Studies; Anxiety; Hospitals; Varicose Ulcer; 3. Good health

AbstractA chronic leg ulcer is a debilitating illness, owing to the local condition of the wound and a decrease in physical activity and productivity, resulting in anxiety and depression among patients. The study aimed to find any association of anxiety and depression in the healing of chronic wounds. A total of 125 patients with chronic leg ulcers were enrolled in the study. HADS questionnaire assessment followed the local wound examination in all patients. A follow‐up assessment of the ulcer was done after appropriate local treatment, and data analysed with the HADS scale. In the present study, the ROC curve showed a cutoff value of 14 for the HADS score in predicting ulcer status (non‐healing vs healed) after 30 days. A total of 54.4% (68) patients had a HADS score ≥ 14 and 39% (49) were true positive for the non‐healing wound at a 1‐month follow‐up. This study revealed a sensitivity and specificity of 83.1% and 71.2%, respectively (P‐value <.001), and diagnostic accuracy of 76.8%, for HADS score > 14 in the detection of non‐healing ulcers. Chronic leg ulcers should be subjected to HADS assessment and if found significant corrective measures must be instituted for improving wound healing.