Predicting and preventing pressure ulcers in adults with paralysis

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.