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Nutritional status and evolution of pressure sores in geriatric patients.
- Source :
-
The journal of nutrition, health & aging [J Nutr Health Aging] 2005 Nov-Dec; Vol. 9 (6), pp. 446-54. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Unlabelled: The prevalence of pressure sores (PS) ranges from 1 to 18% of in-patients and from 3 to 28% of those admitted to long-term settings. The aim of our study was to verify, a posteriori, how nutritional status influenced the evolution of PS in a population of elderly subjects hospitalised in a long-term care setting.<br />Materials and Methods: The charts of 125 patients with ulcerative or necrotic pressure ulcers were evaluated retrospectively. For each subject we took note of: PS characteristics (stage, ulcer surface, evolution), clinical characteristics (comorbidity, adverse clinical events, cognitive, functional and nutritional status).<br />Results: In 58 patients (46.4%) there was overall healing of the lesions while in 39 patients (31.2%) we had however an "improvement" of PS. The course of PS was not significantly influenced by the patient's physiological characteristics, by cognitive status or by initial characteristics of PS. Instead, we noticed a significant difference in the course of PS as a function of the level of autonomy and clinical status. The course of PS, and in particular the Healing Index, were influenced by the Nutritional Status and, above all, by its course during the treatment period.<br />Conclusions: The development of PS is multifactorial. Whereas, it is clear that factors other than nutrition influence the risk of developing PS, an important role for nutrition in the development and resolution of PS is suggested. Our data certainly confirm the "Quality indicators for prevention and management of pressure ulcers in vulnerable elders", especially were they say "if a vulnerable elder is identified as at risk for pressure ulcer development and has malnutrition, then nutritional intervention or dietary consultation should be instituted because poor diet, particularly low dietary protein intake, is an independent predictor of pressure ulcer development".
- Subjects :
- Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Comorbidity
Female
Humans
Italy epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Quality of Health Care
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Dietary Proteins administration & dosage
Geriatric Nursing standards
Long-Term Care standards
Nutritional Status
Pressure Ulcer epidemiology
Pressure Ulcer etiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1279-7707
- Volume :
- 9
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The journal of nutrition, health & aging
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16395517