[Endonasal tubes as cause of pressure ulcers in the critical patient]

One of the risks of using endonasal tubes (ET) is the appearance of pressure ulcers (PU).

To ascertain the proportion of patients with nasal PU, study the risk factors of appearance, and find predictive variables.

A six-month prospective, observational study of intensive care unit patients with ET.

Variable response: "the appearance of pu as a result of the use of ET". Explanatory variables: age, duration of stay, length of time with ET, gender, sedation, norepinephrine perfusion, mechanical ventilation, anemia, nutritional state.

multivariate statistical techniques (multiple logistical regression). Statistics program g-stat 2.0. Significance level p < 0.05.

Sample of 48 patients. Proportion of patients with PU: 29.2%. Those patients with PU had similar ages, duration of stay and longer length of time with ET. Results of the Logistic Regression model: only the variable "time with ET" was statistically significant (p = 0.03; odds ratio: 1.047).

The length of time the patient is using an ET influences the appearance of nasal PU (risk increases 1.047 for each day with ET). None of the variables dealt with could be used as a predictive factor in the appearance of PU.