Evaluation of blood and serum markers in spinal cord injured patients with pressure sores.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate blood and serum markers in traumatic spinal cord injured (SCI) patients, with and without pressure sores.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was performed at the Ministry of Health Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit, and Numune Education and Research Hospitals, Ankara, Turkey, from 2006-2008. A total of 23 SCI patients with pressure sores (group I) and a control group of 25 SCI patients without pressure sores (group II) were evaluated. Characteristics of sores were examined with respect to duration, location, grade, tissue types, surface area, and exudate amount. Recorded laboratory parameters included erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Htc), lymphocytes, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), serum iron, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, total protein, albumin, vitamin B12, and zinc.


RESULTS
The most common pressure sore location was the sacrum (38%). Compared to the control group, the patients with pressure sores showed anemia with reduced serum iron, transferrin, TIBC, and increased ferritin. They also had increased ESR, CRP, and WBC and reduced lymphocytes, total protein, albumin and zinc. Statistically significant correlations were found between CRP, Hb, Htc, lymphocytes, RBC, WBC, and serum protein levels, and grade of pressure sores.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should regularly screen patients with respect to blood and serum markers, in order to determine any risks for pressure sores, and they should perform immediate preventive measures based on the patient's condition.
Gurcay
Eda
E
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital, and Department of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Health Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. dredagurcay@gmail.com
Bal
Ajda
A
Gurcay
Ahmet G
AG
Cakci
Aytul
A
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000097:blood*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014421:Turkey
D015415:Biomarkers