Pressure ulcer risk factors in persons with SCI: Part I: Acute and rehabilitation stages

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a common complication following a spinal-cord injury (SCI). Good prevention requires identifying the individuals at risk for developing PUs. Risk assessment scales used nowadays were designed on pathophysiological concepts and are not SCI-specific. Recently, an epidemiological approach to PU risk factors has been proposed to design an SCI-specific assessment tool. The first results seem quite disappointing, probably because of the level of evidence of the risk factors used.

To determine PU risk factors correlated to the patients with SCI, medical care management during the acute as well as in the rehabilitation and chronic stages. This first part focuses on identifying the risk factors during the acute and rehabilitation stages.

Systematic review of the literature.

Six studies met our inclusion criteria. The risk factors during the acute stage of an SCI are essentially linked to care management and treatment modalities. There is insufficient evidence to make a recommendation on medical risk factors, except for low blood pressure on admission to the Emergency Room, with a moderate level of evidence. Regarding the rehabilitation stage, no study was deemed relevant.

Additional observational studies are needed, for both the acute and rehabilitation stages, to improve this level of evidence. However, this systematic review unveiled the need for a carefully assessed t care management and the related practices, especially during the acute stage of an SCI.