Vitamin C depletion and pressure sores in elderly patients with femoral neck fracture.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the contribution of specific nutritional deficiencies (as indicated by zinc; vitamin A, C, and E; albumin; and haemoglobin concentrations) to the risk of pressure sores.


METHODS
Observational cohort study.


METHODS
St James's University Hospital, Leeds.


METHODS
21 elderly patients presenting consecutively to the orthopaedic unit with femoral neck fracture.


METHODS
Full thickness epidermal break over a pressure bearing surface.


RESULTS
10 patients (48%) developed a pressure sore during their hospital stay. Indices of zinc status and concentrations of albumin, haemoglobin, and vitamins A and E were similar in patients who developed a pressure sore and those who did not. Mean leucocyte vitamin C concentration, however, was 6.3 (SD 2.2) micrograms/10(8) cells in patients who developed a pressure sore as compared with 12.8 (4.6) micrograms/10(8) cells in patients who did not.


CONCLUSIONS
Low concentrations of leucocyte vitamin C appear to be associated with subsequent development of pressure sores in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures.
Goode
H F
HF
St James's University Hospital, Leeds.
Burns
E
E
Walker
B E
BE
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency
D015032:Zinc