title: Predicting and preventing pressure ulcers in adults with paralysis.
abstract: A questionnaire mailed to all 2,295 members of the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association measured 45 potential risk factors for pressure ulcers. Logistic-regression analysis and Cox proportional-hazards analyses were used to identify the variables that were independently associated with pressure ulcers. The survey response rate was 42.2%. Among 15 risk factors from a previously published scale by the authors, 7 were independent predictors of pressure ulcer development: level of activity, level of mobility, complete spinal cord injury, urine incontinence or moisture, autonomic dysreflexia, pulmonary disease, and renal disease. In addition, 2 new variables added significant predictive value: being prone to infections that cause breathing problems and paralysis caused by trauma (as opposed to disease). Using these 9 risk factors, a new pressure ulcer risk assessment scale was designed specifically for persons with paralysis who are living in a community setting. It appears to be a more accurate method of predicting pressure ulcers than currently used risk assessment scales.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology