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How to use the eWoundQoL

The eWoundQoL consists of 17 questions relating to the three categories of body, psyche and everyday life. These can be answered on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). The eWoundQoL is calculated by taking the mean value of all items or questions. However, at least 13 questions must be answered.

The eWoundQoL is self-explanatory and is completed by patients themselves. If they are not able to complete the questionnaire themselves, they can be assisted. In this case, the support must be documented.

How it was developed

The Wound-QoL was developed by the Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing at the University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany. It is derived from three previously existing wound questionnaires, but it is much shorter (one page) and easier to use, making compliance rates higher. Studies have shown the results to be highly reliable. The eWoundQoL is available as a mobile application for Android and iOS devices and as a web-based online calculator.

The impact of chronic wounds

Chronic wounds have a major socioeconomic impact due to their frequency, chronic nature, and societal costs. Patients experience substantial quality of life (QoL) impairments. The most common underlying diseases are chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, diabetes (diabetic foot ulcers), or pathologic pressure (pressure ulcer).

These conditions and the wounds associated with them can cause severe pain, social isolation, and restricted mobility, thus burdening daily life. Patients who are living with chronic wounds may also experience psychological challenges and conditions such as clinical depression.

As most affected patients are elderly, chronic wounds often coincide with other morbidities common among this age group (e.g., vascular disease, hypertension, obesity), adding further physical and psychological strain. Medical care in the outpatient wound clinic should focus on maintaining or enhancing quality of life. The use of questionnaires for a continuous assessment of quality of life and the resulting interventions to improve the individual's situation are an important cornerstone of guideline-based wound care.

References

Validity study:

Blome C, Baade K, Debus ES, Price P, Augustin M. The "Wound-QoL": a short questionnaire measuring quality of life in patients with chronic wounds based on three established disease-specific instruments. Wound Repair Regen. 2014 Jul-Aug;22(4):504-14. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12193 . PMID: 24899053 .

Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID):

Topp, J., Blome, C., Augustin, M., Mohr, N., Debus, E. S., Diener, H., & Sommer, R. (2021). Determining the Minimal Important Difference for the Wound-QoL Questionnaire. Patient preference and adherence, 15, 1571–1578. https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S315822

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electronic Wound Quality of Life

eWoundQoL

Quality of life assessment made

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What is the eWoundQoL?

How to use the eWoundQoL

The following versions of the eWoundQoL are available

How it was developed

The impact of chronic wounds

Features

References

Our tools

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