The relationship between malnutrition parameters and pressure ulcers in hospitals and nursing homes.
OBJECTIVE
Pressure ulcers (PU) remain a major health care problem throughout the world. Although malnutrition is considered to be one of the intrinsic risk factors for PU, more evidence is needed to identify the exact relation between PU and malnutrition. This study aims to identify whether there exists a relationship between PU and malnutrition in hospitals and nursing homes.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed in April 2007 in hospitals and nursing homes in Germany. PU were assessed using the Braden scale. Malnutrition was assessed by low body mass index (BMI), undesired weight loss, and insufficient nutritional intake.


RESULTS
Two thousand three hundred ninety-three patients from 29 nursing homes and 4067 patients from 22 hospitals participated in the study. PU in both hospital and nursing home patients were significantly (P < 0.01) related to undesired weight loss (5%-10%). Moreover low nutritional intake and low BMI (<18.5) were also significantly related to PU in hospitals and nursing homes.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant relationship between malnutrition parameters like undesired weight loss, BMI < 18.5, and low nutritional intake and PU.
Shahin
Eman S M
ES
Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Suez Canal University, Port Said, Egypt. emanshaheen@yahoo.com
Meijers
J M M
JM
Schols
J M G A
JM
Tannen
A
A
Halfens
R J G
RJ
Dassen
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D006760:Hospitalization; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009752:Nutritional Status; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015431:Weight Loss