Microbiome-skin-brain axis: A novel paradigm for cutaneous wounds.

Chronic wounds cause a significant burden on society financially, medically, and psychologically. Unfortunately, patients with nonhealing wounds often suffer from comorbidities that further compound their disability. Given the high rate of depressive symptoms experienced by patients with chronic wounds, further studies are needed to investigate the potentially linked pathophysiological changes in wounds and depression in order to improve patient care. The English literature on wound healing, inflammatory and microbial changes in chronic wounds and depression, and antiinflammatory and probiotic therapy was reviewed on PubMed. Chronic wound conditions and depression were demonstrated to share common pathologic features of dysregulated inflammation and altered microbiome, indicating a possible relationship. Furthermore, alternative treatment strategies such as immune-targeted and probiotic therapy showed promising potential by addressing both pathophysiological pathways. However, many existing studies are limited to a small study population, a cross-sectional design that does not establish temporality, or a wide range of confounding variables in the context of a highly complex and multifactorial disease process. Therefore, additional preclinical studies in suitable wound models, as well as larger clinical cohort studies and trials are necessary to elucidate the relationship between wound microbiome, healing, and depression, and ultimately guide the most effective therapeutic and management plan for chronic wound patients.

Multicenter Qualitative Study Exploring the Patient Experience of Digital Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Digital ulcers (DUs) are a major cause of disease-related morbidity and are a difficult-to-treat vascular complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Demonstrating treatment efficacy has traditionally focused on clinician assessment of DUs alone. No existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument captures the multifaceted impact of SSc-DU. We report the findings of a multicenter qualitative research study exploring the patient experience of SSc-DU. METHODS: Patient focus groups were conducted across 3 scleroderma units, following a topic guide devised by SSc patients, experts, and experienced qualitative researchers. A purposive sampling framework ensured that the experiences of a diverse group of patients were captured. Focus groups were audio recorded, and information was transcribed, anonymized, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. We continued focus groups until thematic saturation was achieved. RESULTS: Twenty-nine SSc patients with a history of DU disease participated in 4 focus groups across the UK (Bath, Manchester, and London). Five major interrelated themes (and subthemes) were identified that encompass the patient experience of SSc-DU: disabling pain and hypersensitivity; deep and broad-ranging emotional impact; impairment of physical and social activity; factors aggravating occurrence, duration, and impact; and mitigating, managing, and adapting. CONCLUSION: The patient experience of SSc-DU is multifaceted and comprises a complex interplay of experiences associated with significant pain and morbidity. Patient experiences of SSc-DU are not captured using existing SSc-DU outcomes. Our findings will inform the development of a novel PRO instrument to assess the severity and impact of SSc-DU for use in future SSc-DU clinical trials.

Quality of life assessment in family members of patients with chronic wounds.

Familial caregivers are often directly involved in treatment of patients with chronic wounds, however, less is known about their personal impairment, and specific support is lacking for these important members of the therapeutic team regarding wound care. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of wound care provided by family members on their quality of life, and to create a suitable questionnaire to describe the affected personal aspects. A five-part questionnaire, named ELWA, was created by the authors and answered by 30 familial caregivers of 30 respective patients with chronic leg ulcers. One third of the caregivers reported receiving no medical advice about detailed wound care at all. A lack of information regarding details of the disease correlated with personal strain. Additional costs, anxiety, frustration, and reduced spare-time activities were among the top-rated factors affecting quality of life of family members. The results from this newly created questionnaire point out the needs of familial caregivers of patients with chronic wounds and may help to establish individual support. Implementation of clinical treatment strategies is planned through multicentre application.

Exploring the patient experience of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis.

Digital ulcers are common in patients with systemic sclerosis, affecting over half of patients during the course of their disease. For some patients, digital ulcers occur as isolated phenomena; whereas, for others, digital ulceration is recurrent, and often refractory to intervention. Demonstrating treatment efficacy for digital ulcer disease has typically focussed on clinician opinion of ulcer healing and new ulcer occurrence. Advances in management have improved outcomes which may have had the unfortunate effect of rendering traditional trial endpoints less effective at demonstrating treatment efficacy. Despite recent improvements in management, our work is not complete and digital ulceration remains a major cause of morbidity for many patients with systemic sclerosis. This review shall examine the patient experience of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis. We shall consider how a detailed understanding of the severity and burden of digital ulceration, aetiopathogenesis, and their impact on emotional health, function, work and social participation might inform the development of novel clinical trial outcomes that can support future advances in the assessment and management of digital ulceration in systemic sclerosis.

Dermatosis autoinfligida: presentación de un caso y revisión / Self-inflicted dermatosis: presentation of a case and review

Las dermatosis autoinfligidas representan un motivo habitual de consulta, así como un desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico. Se caracterizan por la autoprovocación de lesiones cutáneas de manera consciente o inconsciente en el contexto de trastornos psiquiátricos complejos. Comunicamos el caso de una paciente que consultó al Servicio de Dermatología por úlceras irregulares y sobreinfectadas localizadas en rostro, de 2 meses de evolución. El caso representó una dificultad diagnóstica ya que solo a partir del interrogatorio exhaustivo y los exámenes complementarios, que descartaron otras patologías, se arribó al diagnóstico de úlceras autoprovocadas en contexto de patología psiquiátrica que requirió manejo interdisciplinario. (AU)

Self-inflicted dermatoses are a frequent cause for consultation and represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. They are characterized by the conscious or unconscious self-generation of cutaneous lesions in the context of complex psychiatric disorders. We report the case of a patient who consulted at the dermatology department with two months history of irregular and superinfected ulcers located on the face. This case represented a diagnostic difficulty since only from an exhaustive interrogation and complementary examinations, which ruled out other pathologies, we arrived at the diagnosis of self-inflicted ulcers in the context of psychiatric pathology that required interdisciplinary management. (AU)

Pain, stress, and sleep quality in chronic wound patients

Chronic wounds are one impact of cancer cell growth that may cause discomforts or pain. This study aimed to identify the relationship between pain, stress, and sleep quality in cancer patients with a chronic wound. We used a cross-sectional design with 76 patients from a cancer hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. The instruments used were the Numeric Rating Scale, the Questionnaire on Stress in Cancer Patients, Revised 23, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The results of this study showed that moderate-severe pain produced a higher than average amount of stress (58.86), while patients with no pain or only mild pain had a lower than average stress level (52.3). The results indicated that there was a relationship between pain before analgesic usage, pain during bandage replacement, pain that occurred at night, and stress (p=0.003, 0.007, and 0.002, respectively; α=0.05). Patients who had poor sleep quality experienced above average stress (56.3), while those with good sleep quality reported below average stress levels (45.6). These results indicated that there was a relationship between stress and sleep quality (p=0.033; α=0.05). Poor quality sleep is more common in patients with a moderate to severe pain scale rating (93.1%). However, Fisher's exact test results found that there was no relationship between pain and sleep quality (p=0.301; α=0.05). The results of this study concluded that stress can affect pain and sleep quality, but the pain did not have a direct effect on sleep quality in chronic wound patients

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The financial and quality-of-life cost to patients living with a chronic wound in the community.

Chronic wounds are associated with financial and personal costs. The system level expense associated with chronic wounds has been established, however, the out-of-pocket cost incurred by individuals who self-fund has not been the focus of extensive investigation. Recently, there has been renewed interest in evaluating quality of life, in line with the shift to patient enablement and self-care in chronic disease management. The objectives of this research were to describe the out-of-pocket wound treatment costs and the quality of life of people who have chronic wounds. A questionnaire incorporating the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule and purpose-designed instruments was completed by a non-probability, convenience sample of 113 people in Australia and Wales. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The sample was on average 63·6 years of age and had wounds that were on an average 109 weeks duration. Participants had spent on average AU$2475 on wound dressing products since the wound started, and AU$121·82 in the most recent 28 days which represented 10% of their disposable income. Health-related quality of life was sub-optimal, 6/10 (ave) according to the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule. Younger participants reported significantly poorer quality of life on all CWIS sub-scales when compared to older participants. This study found that chronic wounds present a significant financial cost to individuals who must self-fund their wound dressings and other wound treatment related expenses. Participants who had access to wound product subsidisation also experienced personal financial costs. People who have chronic wounds experience sub-optimal quality of life therefore this condition is also costly to the individual's well-being. The quality of life of younger people has not received adequate attention and requires further consideration given the many years that younger people may have to live with this debilitating and often recurrent condition. Continued action is required to reduce the financial and personal costs experienced by people who have chronic wounds. It is imperative that healthcare funding is directed to people who have chronic wounds, in particular to alleviate the out-of-pocket costs experienced by self-funders. Continued attention to the quality of life of people who have chronic wounds is required to minimise the negative effects of this condition and enhance well-being.

The Use of PRISM (Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure) in Patients Affected by Chronic Cutaneous Ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: PRISM (Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure) is a nonverbal visualization instrument. The authors chose to use this tool to avoid the limitation of the other tests for the assessment of quality of life by using interview methods that depend on the cognitive and cultural level of the patient. The aim of the study was to assess the impact on the quality of life of different types of chronic wounds using the PRISM test. SETTING: The PRISM test was administered by the same medical student to each patient visiting the dermatology department for a routine visit and medication. PARTICIPANTS: The PRISM test was administered to 77 patients with chronic cutaneous ulcers referred to the Dermatology Department of the Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors analyzed the "Self-llness-Separation"' (SIS) value, which resulted from the PRISM test, and related it to sex, age, and ulcer etiology. RESULTS: Considering all categories, the mean SIS was 9.58 cm; a different perception of the disease between the sexes was noted and also in the subgroups based on the ulcer's different etiology. In addition, the age of the affected patients influenced the SIS value. CONCLUSIONS: PRISM is an easy and sensitive instrument to record information about the patient's expectations and suffering in order to improve the overall physician-patient relationship.

An observational cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed digital ulcer disease secondary to systemic sclerosis registered in the EUSTAR database.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and quality of life in patients with newly diagnosed (incident) digital ulcers (DU). METHODS: Observational cohort study of 189 consecutive SSc patients with incident DU diagnosis identified from the EUSTAR database (22 centres in 10 countries). Data were collected from medical charts and during one prospective visit between 01/2004 and 09/2010. RESULTS: Median age at DU diagnosis was 51 years, majority of patients were female (88%), and limited cutaneous SSc was the most common subtype (61%). At incident DU diagnosis, 41% of patients had one DU and 59% had ≥2 DU; at the prospective visit 52% had DU. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and multiple DU at diagnosis were associated with presence of any DU at the prospective visit (odds ratios: 4.34 and 1.32). During the observation period (median follow-up was 2 years) 127 patients had ≥1 hospitalisation. The event rate of new DU per person-year was 0.66, of DU-associated complications was 0.10, and of surgical or diagnostic procedures was 0.12. At the prospective visit, patients with ≥1 DU reported impairment in daily activities by 57%, those with 0 DU by 37%. The mean difference between patients with or without DU in the SF-36 physical component was 2.2, and in the mental component 1.4. DU patients were not routinely prescribed endothelin receptor antagonists or prostanoids. CONCLUSIONS: This real world cohort demonstrates that DU require hospital admission, and impair daily activity. PAH and multiple DU at diagnosis were associated with future occurrence of DU.

[Chronic wound in waiting-room]. / Kronicna rana u cekaonici.

Chronic wounds are wounds that in addition to standard methods of treatment do not heal within 6-8 weeks, depending on their localization and etiology. Wound healing is affected by a number of factors: physical, psychosocial, relationship to the patient's disease, the condition of the wound itself, as well as the experience and knowledge of medical personnel and financial resources of the institution. Treating chronic wounds begins taking adequate history. Holistic approach is very important in each patient. It should take into account all the situations that can lead to the prolonged healing of wounds. The psychosocial status of the patient plays an important role in the treatment of chronic wounds.

Sexual distress, sexual dysfunction and relationship quality in women with systemic sclerosis: correlation with clinical variables.

To assess the rate of sexual distress, sexual dysfunction and relationship quality and their association with clinical variables in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc), 102 sexually active women with SSc were recruited. Sexual distress, sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction with relationship quality were investigated by Female Sexual Distress Scale Revised (FSDS-R), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), respectively. The patients underwent medical examinations and nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC). Of the 102 patients, 37 (36%) reported sexual distress with FSDS-R score >11, 45 (44%) had sexual dysfunction with FSFI score <19 and 49 (48%) were not satisfied with relationship quality with DAS score <100. There was a negative correlation (p<0.001, R= -0.30) between FSDS-R and FSFI. No correlation was found between FSDS-R and DAS. FSFI showed a positive correlation with DAS (p<0.0001, R= 0.36). Age correlated negatively (p<0.05, R= -0.26) with FSFI, while FSDS-R and DAS did not correlate (p>0.05) with age. SSc women with digital ulcers (DU) had a reduction of FSFI and DAS compared with women without DU. In patients with late capillaroscopic pattern, mean value of FSFI was significantly lower than the other two capillaroscopic patterns. DAS decreased with progression of capillaroscopic damage. In a high percentage of women with SSc FSDS-R was increased, while FSFI and DAS were reduced. Age correlated negatively with FSFI, while skin score showed a negative correlation with DAS. Digital vascular damage negatively influenced FSFI and DAS.

A multinational health professional perspective of the prevalence of mood disorders in patients with acute and chronic wounds.

Recent research has started to identify mood disorders and problems associated with acute and chronic wounds, which have been shown to contribute to delayed healing, poor patient well-being and a reduced quality of life. Furthermore, mood disorders have been shown to have a negative impact on financial costs for service providers and the wider society in terms of treatment and sickness absence. This study aimed to survey a multinational sample of health professionals to explore their perspective and awareness of mood disorders amongst acute and chronic wound patients. Responses were received from n = 908 health professionals working in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. A strong awareness of the prevalence of mood disorders appeared to be widespread among the health professionals across the world, in addition to a view on the potential factors contributing to these problems with mood. Despite this, it was thought that few patients were actually receiving treatment for their mood disorders. Implications for clinical practice include the need for health professionals to engage actively with their patients to enable them to learn from their experiences. Studies that explore the benefits of treatments and techniques appropriate for minimising mood disorders in patients with wounds would provide empirical evidence for health professionals to make recommendations for patients with acute and chronic wounds.

Coping with an exulcerated breast carcinoma: an interpretative phenomenological study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how women living at home with a malignant fungating wound (MFW) cope with such wounds. METHOD: To explore coping through the lived experiences of patients a methodological framework, using Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology and semi-structured interviews. Nine patients were interviewed from January until November 2009. RESULTS: The results are divided into two categories: 'living with a MFW' and 'feeling different'. These categories demonstrate how it is to live with the unpredictability, and uncontrollability of a MFW due to symptoms such as malodour, bleeding, exudate, pain and itching. The loss of control of the body boundary due to uncontrollable symptoms led to significant levels of distress and suffering for the patients. Different coping strategies were used to live with this wound. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates how difficult it is to live and cope with a malignant fungating wound. Coping strategies, including going into isolation, or denying any issues, were used. When taking care of patients with MFWs, strategies need to integrate a palliative, holistic, empathic approach.