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.

Factors associated with the healing of complex surgical wounds in the breast and abdomen: retrospective cohort study.

Objective: to estimate the healing rate of complex surgical wounds and its associated factors. Method: retrospective cohort study from 2003 to 2014 with 160 outpatients of a Brazilian university hospital. Data were obtained through consultation of the medical records. Survival function was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model to estimate the likelihood of the occurrence of healing. Results: the complex surgical wound healing rate was 67.8% (95% CI: 60.8-74.9). Factors associated with a higher likelihood of wound healing were segmentectomy/quadrantectomy surgery, consumption of more than 20 grams/day of alcohol, wound extent of less that 17.3 cm2 and the length of existence of the wound prior to outpatient treatment of less than 15 days, while the use of hydrocolloid covering and Marlex mesh were associated with a lower likelihood of healing. Conclusion: the wound healing rate was considered high and was associated with the type of surgical intervention, alcohol consumption, type of covering, extent and length of wound existence. Preventive measures can be implemented during the monitoring of the evolution of the complex surgical wound closure, with possibilities of intervention in the modifiable risk factors.

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.

Factors associated with the healing of complex surgical wounds in the breast and abdomen: retrospective cohort study / Fatores associados à cicatrização de feridas cirúrgicas complexa mamária e abdominal: estudo de coorte retrospectivo / Factores asociados a la cicatrización de heridas quirúrgicas complejas mamaria y abdominal: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo

ABSTRACT Objective: to estimate the healing rate of complex surgical wounds and its associated factors. Method: retrospective cohort study from 2003 to 2014 with 160 outpatients of a Brazilian university hospital. Data were obtained through consultation of the medical records. Survival function was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model to estimate the likelihood of the occurrence of healing. Results: the complex surgical wound healing rate was 67.8% (95% CI: 60.8-74.9). Factors associated with a higher likelihood of wound healing were segmentectomy/quadrantectomy surgery, consumption of more than 20 grams/day of alcohol, wound extent of less that 17.3 cm2 and the length of existence of the wound prior to outpatient treatment of less than 15 days, while the use of hydrocolloid covering and Marlex mesh were associated with a lower likelihood of healing. Conclusion: the wound healing rate was considered high and was associated with the type of surgical intervention, alcohol consumption, type of covering, extent and length of wound existence. Preventive measures can be implemented during the monitoring of the evolution of the complex surgical wound closure, with possibilities of intervention in the modifiable risk factors.

RESUMO Objetivo: estimar a taxa de cicatrização de ferida cirúrgica complexa e seus fatores associados. Método: coorte retrospectiva de 2003 a 2014 com 160 pacientes ambulatoriais de um hospital universitário brasileiro. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de consulta aos prontuários médicos. Função de sobrevida foi estimada pelo método de Kaplan-Meier e modelo de regressão de Cox para estimação do risco de ocorrência da cicatrização. Resultados: a taxa de cicatrização da ferida cirúrgica complexa foi 67,8% (IC 95%: 60,8-74,9). Os fatores associados a um maior risco de cicatrização da ferida foram cirurgia de setorectomia / quadrantectomia, consumo de mais de 20 gramas/dia de etanol, extensão da ferida menor que 17,3 cm2 e tempo de existência da ferida pré-tratamento ambulatorial inferior a 15 dias, enquanto uso de cobertura hidrocoloide e tela de Marlex estiveram associados a um menor risco de cicatrização. Conclusão: a taxa de cura da ferida foi considerada elevada, e esteve associada ao tipo de intervenção cirúrgica, consumo de etanol, tipo de cobertura, extensão e tempo de existência da ferida. Condutas preventivas podem ser implementadas durante o acompanhamento da evolução do fechamento da ferida cirúrgica complexa, com possibilidades de intervenção nos fatores de risco modificáveis.

RESUMEN Objetivo: estimar la tasa de cicatrización de herida quirúrgica compleja y sus factores asociados. Método: cohorte retrospectivo de 2003 a 2014 con 160 pacientes de ambulatorio de un hospital universitario brasileño. Los datos fueron obtenidos por medio de consulta a las fichas médicas. La función de supervivencia fue estimada por el método de Kaplan-Meier y el modelo de regresión de Cox para estimar el riesgo de ocurrencia de cicatrización. Resultados: la tasa de cicatrización de la herida quirúrgica compleja fue 67,8% (IC 95%: 60,8-74,9). Los factores asociados a un mayor riesgo de cicatrización de la herida fueron cirugía de sectorectomía / cuadrantectomía, consumo de más de 20 gramos/día de etanol, extensión de la herida menor que 17,3 cm2 y tiempo de existencia de la herida antes del tratamiento en ambulatorio inferior a 15 días; en lo que se refiere al uso de cubrimiento hidrocoloide y tela de Marlex estuvieron asociados a un menor riesgo de cicatrización. Conclusión: la tasa de cura de la herida fue considerada elevada, y estuvo asociada al tipo de intervención quirúrgica, consumo de etanol, tipo de cubrimiento, extensión y tiempo de existencia de la herida. Conductas preventivas pueden ser implementadas durante el acompañamiento de la evolución del cierre de la herida quirúrgica compleja, con posibilidades de intervenir sobre los factores de riesgo modificables.

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.