Patient-reported outcomes as diagnostic tools and clues in chronic wounds: Considerations for practice

BackgroundPatient-reported outcomes (PROs) are essential components of wound diagnostics and management.ObjectiveTo provide an overview of PROs as diagnostic tools in management of chronic wounds.MethodsReview of different concepts on inclusion of PROs in wound practice from literature.ResultsPatient-reported outcomes are indispensable fields of information for the understanding of the bio-psycho-social context of wound diseases. Some PROs are required for outcomes measurement, others for identifying patients at risk of comorbidity or disease escalation. An individual set of PRO is needed for the management of each patient. Essential dimensions to be recorded are pain, quality of life, patient burden of disease and the socio-economic status. Psychological parameters, adherence, treatment goals and benefits are often needed. Further fields of interest include Cumulative Life Course Impairment, coping with disease, stigmatisation and detailed psychosocial parameters.ConclusionPatient-reported outcomes are mandatory for the diagnostic work-up of chronic wounds. They also provide essential information in the course of disease, can be diagnostic clues for non-adherence and treatment failures and reflect patient orientation in treatment. Measurement of many PRO parameters in wound diseases, such as health-related quality of life and pain, is facilitated by validated instruments, which are recommended for practice.