Open AccessSymptoms in patients with skin changes due to chronic venous insufficiency often lead to emergency care service: an Italian observational study
Author(s) -
Ruggiero Michele,
Grande Raffaele,
Naso Agostino,
Butrico Lucia,
Rubino Paolo,
Placida Girolamo Domenico,
Cannistrà Marco,
Serra Raffaele
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international wound journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1742-481X
pISSN - 1742-4801
DOI - 10.1111/iwj.12498
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic venous insufficiency , disease , quality of life (healthcare) , observational study , population , absenteeism , physical therapy , nursing , environmental health , management , economics
Abstract Chronic venous insufficiency ( CVI ) is the most advanced form of chronic venous disease ( CVD ), and is often associated with skin changes such as hyperpigmentation, eczema, lipodermatosclerosis and venous skin ulceration that cause discomfort, pain, sleep disturbances, absenteeism in the workplace, disability and deteriorated quality of life ( QoL ). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of CVI and skin changes in patients who turn to Continuous Assistance Services due to the presence of disturbing symptoms of their condition. Data were evaluated by consulting the medical records, during a 16‐month period, available with three Continuous Assistance Services of the Italian territory. The overall population of the referring centres consisted of 1186 patients [739 females (62·31%) and 447 males (37·69%)]. Seventy‐nine patients (6·66%) consulted the emergency unit for venous symptoms related to CVD . Patients with more severe disease ( CVI , categories C4–C6 ) represented the majority accounting for 60·75%, while patients with moderate disease ( C3 ) accounted for 35·44% and patients with mild disease ( C1–C2 stages) accounted for 3·79%. The main finding of this study is that despite CVI not being a disease that commonly requires medical emergency/urgency intervention, patients with CVI , especially in advanced stage with skin changes, may turn to Continuous Assistance Service for treating bothersome symptoms related to their condition.