A Self-Care Intervention Algorithm for Older Adults with Neuropathic Ulcer in the Community

Abstract

Introduction: For the best treatment of patients with neuropathic ulcers, it is important to identify the degree and origin of the lesion. In this respect, several classification systems have been proposed; among the most important are the Wagner and Texas classification systems.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of nursing intervention algorithms in older adults with neuropathic ulcers in the community.

Methods: A longitudinal and descriptive study was carried out of 77 older adults with neuropathic ulcers at Mártires de Cuito health center in Bie, Angola, in the period January-December 2023. The obtained information was processed, validated and analyzed by computational methods, using the Microsoft Office 2024 package and the statistical system Epi-Info-version 1.4.3 of the World Health Organization. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical package (version 23) for Windows.

Results: Of the independent interventions provided to the 77 older adults, according to age and presence of neuropathic ulcers, 46.75 % were female and 53.24 % were male; 4 patients (5.19 %) presented neuropathic ulcers. There was a predominance of the age group 71-75 years, accounting for 31.16 % and 54.54 % of older adults with neuropathic ulcers. According to the Wagner classification, access for osteomyelitis (45.45 %) was remarkable, whilw the level of self-care showed that 71.42 % performed little self-care.

Conclusions: The implementation of an algorithm for the care of older adults with neuropathic ulcer makes it easier to identify the predominant age group with this condition, Wagner's classification and self-care practice.