Prevalence of people with sickle cell disease and leg ulcers in Brazil: Socioeconomic and clinical overview.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of people with leg ulcers resulting from sickle cell disease, as well as to describe the clinical, social, economic, and demographic conditions of these people. METHOD: Descriptive study, carried out at the Minas Gerais Hematology and Hemotherapy Center Foundation. The study population consisted of individuals over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data collection was performed from August 2019 to April 2020 through interviews. For the prevalence calculation, a census was taken of 5,379 people over the age of 18 with sickle cell disease, 77 of whom had active leg ulcers. Descriptive data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 20.0, Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The prevalence of people with leg ulcers in Minas Gerais, Brazil was 1.4%. Of the 72 respondents, the average age was 39 years (range 18-64 years), 41.7% were single, 48.6% said they were black, 84.7% lived in their own house, 38.9% were retired, 61.1% had an income of one minimum wage. The median years of education was 10.5, 50% cited the church as a place for leisure activities, 79.2% denied smoking. Regarding pain, the median score was 3, the median baseline hemoglobin was 7.7 g/dL, and 91.7% had the HbSS genotype. The median age of the first ulcer was 18 years, 77.8% of active ulcers were recurrent, and 59.7% had only one active ulcer. The median time of existence of the ulcer was 3 years. The ulcer prevented 80.6% of people from doing some activity. Prejudice was experienced by 48.6% of the participants. CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence of leg ulcers was lower than what it reported in the literature, however, the recurrence and the duration of ulcers were high. These findings bring reflection about the assistance to people with leg ulcer.

Effect of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Solution on Bacterial Load and Biofilm in Venous Leg Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) solution as a wound cleanser on bacterial load and bacterial biofilm in venous leg ulcers. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The target population was adults attending the dermatology outpatient clinic of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample comprised 44 patients with venous leg ulcers recruited over a 6-month period. METHODS: Participants were divided into 2 groups: the intervention group had their wounds cleansed with PHMB, and the control group had their wound cleansed with a 0.9% saline solution. Tissue fragments of the wounds were collected for bacteriological analysis; transmission electron microscopy was used to identify the presence of biofilm. RESULTS: The bacterial load was reduced in both groups compared to baseline values; no significant difference was found when groups were compared. Correlation analysis between wound duration (months), wound area (cm²), necrosis (%), variables, and bacterial count (colony forming units [CFUs]/g) after cleansing showed a significant relationship between area of the wound and CFUs/g (P = .0070, r = 0.51). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of bacterial biofilm in the wounds after cleansing with both solutions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that both PHMB and saline solution are effective in reducing the bacterial load in venous leg ulcers. However, bacterial biofilm was present after cleansing with both solutions. These findings provide important evidence regarding effectiveness of 2 common wound cleansers on bacterial presence in wounds.

Prevenção de recidiva de úlcera varicosa: um estudo de coorte / Prevention of varicose ulcer relapse: a cohort study

Resumo Objetivo Determinar a taxa de recidiva de úlcera varicosa, e verificar a associação entre recidiva e medidas de prevenção adotadas. Métodos Estudo de coorte com 50 pacientes maiores de 18 anos com úlcera varicosa pós-cicatrização acompanhados durante 10 anos. A recidiva foi avaliada por meio de inspeção direta durante a avaliação clínica, e as medidas de prevenção usadas foram informadas pelo paciente. Utilizou-se o teste qui quadrado de Pearson, sendo significante p-value ≤0,05. Resultados A recidiva de úlcera varicosa foi de 62,2%, a maioria em mulheres, seguida por idosos, analfabetos e aposentados. Mostrou-se medida eficaz na prevenção de recidivas o seguinte conjunto: uso da meia de compressão, repouso e aplicar creme hidratante. Conclusão A taxa de recidiva de úlcera varicosa foi elevada e as principais medidas de prevenção aplicadas em conjunto foram usar meia de compressão, repousar e aplicar creme hidratante.

Abstract Objective Determine the relapse rate of varicose ulcer and check the association between relapse and prevention measures adopted. Methods Cohort study involving 50 patients over 18 years of age post-healing of varicose ulcer monitored over ten years. Relapse was assessed through direct inspection during the clinical assessment, and the preventive measures used were informed by the patient. Pearson’s chi-square test was used with p ≤0.05. Results Relapse of varicose ulcer corresponded to 62.2%, mostly in women, followed by elderly, illiterate and retired people. The following combination was effective to prevent relapses: use of compressive stockings, rest and application of moisturizer. Conclusion The relapse rate of varicose ulcer was high and the main combination of preventive measures applied was the use of compressive stockings, rest and application of moisturizer.

Resultados de dez anos de atendimento ambulatorial a pacientes com ferida cirúrgica / Ten-years of out patient service of patients with surgical wound

Identificar a taxa de cicatrização de ferida cirúrgica complexa e caracterizar esses pacientes. Método: Estudo tipo descritivo exploratório e retrospectivo, realizado em um serviço ambulatorial de um hospital de grande porte de 2003 a 2013, com amostra de 138 pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos e ferida localizada na região da mama e abdome. Resultados: A taxa de cicatrização foi de 71,745, com tempo médio de tratamento de 3 meses. A maioria era do sexo feminino, de cor parda, casada, com média de idade 47,4 anos e baixa escolaridade. O câncer foi o principal motivo para a cirurgia. Coclusão: A maioria dos pacientes recebeu alto com com a ferida cicatrizada. O conhecimento produzido com o estudo poderá contribuir para o fortalecimento da prática clínica dos enfermeiros quanto à importância da avaliação os pacientes com ferida cirúrgica e tempo esperado para a cicatrização das mesmas...

O enfermeiro frente ao paciente com lesão por hidradenite: relato de experiência / Nursing care for patients with hidradenitis wounds: an experience report

Trata-se de um relato de experiência com o objetivo de descrever o caso de um paciente portador de hidradenite supurativa, com ferida infectada na região glútea tratada inicialmente com curativos de carvão e prata e alginato de cálcio e posteriormente com hidrofibra e prata. A ferida demandou cerca de 3 meses para epitalizar. Durante esse período o paciente não apresentou novo episódio de infecção ou outras complicações na ferida, apesar da abertura anal localizada no meio da mesma e do desenvolvimento de pequenos abcessos na região glútea e escrotal.