The Impact of Venous Leg Ulcers on Body Image and Self-esteem.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate self-esteem and body image in patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs).


METHODS
A multicenter, prospective, descriptive, analytical, clinical study.


METHODS
A nursing care and education center of a university hospital, a health center, and an outpatient wound care clinic in Brazil.


METHODS
Fifty-nine consecutive adult patients with VLUs and Doppler ankle-brachial index ranging from 0.8 to 1.0 were recruited for the study. Exclusion criteria were mixed ulcers, arterial ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers.


METHODS
A questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients, the Brazilian version of the Body Investment Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-esteem (RSE)/UNIFESP-EPM (São Paulo da Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina) scale were administered to all patients.


RESULTS
Most participants were women, aged between 60 and 70 years, and smokers; 33 (56%) were divorced, widowed, or single, and 26 (44%) were married. The patients had the ulcer for a mean of 5.42 years. Exudate and foul odor were present in most cases. Twenty-one ulcers (36%) measured 29 cm or less in surface area, and 17 (29%) ulcers measured between 30 and 49 cm (mean, 3.39 cm). The mean RSE score was 22.66, indicating low self-esteem. The mean Body Investment Scale total score was 27.49, and the scores on the body image and body touch subscales were also low, indicating negative feelings about the body.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with VLUs had low self-esteem and negative feelings about their bodies.
Geraldo Magela Salomé, PhD, RN, is an Adjunct Professor, Master's Degree Program in Sciences Applied to Health, Sapucaí Valley University (UNIVÁS), Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil. Sergio Aguinaldo de Almeida, RN, is a Specialist in Auditing, Private Practice, São Paulo, Brazil. Maria Teresa de Jesus Pereira, MSN, RN, is a Professor, School of Nursing, UNIVÁS, Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil. Marcelo Renato Massahud, Jr, RN, is a student in the Master's Degree Program in Sciences Applied to Health, UNIVÁS, Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil. Carmelita Naira de Oliveira Moreira is a Nursing Student, School of Nursing, UNIVÁS, Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil. Maria José Azevedo de Brito, PhD, is Adjunct Professor, Master's Degree Program in Sciences Applied to Health, UNIVÁS, Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil. Lydia Masako Ferreira, MD, PhD, is a Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Geraldo Magela
GM
Salomé
Sergio Aguinaldo
SA
de Almeida
Maria Teresa
MT
de Jesus Pereira
Marcelo Renato
MR
Massahud
Carmelita Naira
CN
de Oliveira Moreira
Maria José Azevedo
MJ
de Brito
Lydia Masako
LM
Ferreira
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D001938:Brazil; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy