title: Improving the accuracy of pressure ulcer risk calculators: some preliminary evidence.
abstract: This study presents data from a prospective cohort study of 213 in-patient admissions of people over 65. Logit analysis was used to investigate the relative contribution of a range of risk factors to the risk of pressure ulcer occurrence, as a basis for development of improved risk assessment tools. It was found that for this population, a model containing the Waterlow risk factors appetite, continence, skin condition and age, plus diagnosis, performed better than one based on the complete set of Waterlow factors. Gender was not significant. A diagnosis of cancer was positively associated with pressure ulcer occurrence but presence of Parkinson's disease had the opposite effect.
authors.affiliation: Nursing, Health and Social Care Research Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK. papanikolaoup@cardiff.ac.uk
authors.forename: Panos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papanikolaou
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lyne
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001066:Appetite; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin