Survey on Prevalence and Impact of Chronic Non-Healing Wounds among Patients Attending Various Wound Clinics Around Trivandrum City

Abstract

The survey on prevailing medical practices for non-healing chronic wounds and its impact provides valuable insights into the management and treatment strategies adopted in the context of chronic wound care. The discussion highlights key findings related to diabetes as a prevalent cause, wound location, treatment approaches, and the utilization of serological tests. Diabetes emerged as a significant risk factor for chronic wounds, with 90% of the respondents having a family history of diabetes, and 70% currently under medication for diabetes management. These findings emphasize the crucial role of diabetes in contributing to non-healing chronic wounds. Healthcare providers should prioritize diabetic patients for preventive wound care measures and regular assessments to reduce the incidence of chronic wounds. The survey reveals that a substantial proportion of chronic wounds (75%) are diabetes-related, further supporting the link between diabetes and wound development. Infection-related wounds (10%), autoimmune-related wounds (3%), and other causes (5%) also contribute to the overall burden of chronic wounds. Understanding the various causative factors allows healthcare professionals to tailor treatment plans accordingly and address the specific needs of individual patients. The location of wounds showed a gender disparity, with a higher prevalence of chronic wounds in male limbs (74%) compared to female limbs (26%). Similarly, chronic wounds in other sites were more common in males (74%) than females (26%). The reasons for these gender-based differences warrant further investigation and consideration in treatment planning. In terms of treatment and management, nearly all respondents (100%) were on multiple antibiotics for wound care, indicating the widespread use of antimicrobial therapy. Additionally, a significant portion of respondents (57%) reported trying alternative treatment approaches, suggesting the need for a more diverse and holistic approach to chronic wound management. Hospitalization for chronic wound care was common, with 80% of the respondents having been hospitalized multiple times. This suggests that chronic wounds often require extensive medical attention and resources, making the management of chronic wounds a challenging and resource- intensive aspect of healthcare. The utilization of wound-related serological tests was relatively low, with only 3% of respondents undergoing such tests. This indicates a potential gap in healthcare practices, as serological tests can provide valuable diagnostic information for guiding wound management strategies. Increased awareness and promotion of serological tests among healthcare providers could lead to better wound care outcomes. Overall, the survey findings underscore the complexities and challenges associated with non-healing chronic wounds, especially in the context of diabetes-related wounds. The study highlights the need for comprehensive and personalized wound management strategies, increased awareness about wound-related serological tests, and the exploration of alternative treatment approaches to improve the outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by chronic wounds. Addressing these challenges would lead to better wound healing outcomes, reduced healthcare burdens, and enhanced overall patient well-being Keywords: Non-healing chronic wounds, Wounds Prevalence, Antimicrobial therapy, Alternative treatment approaches, Serological tests.