Body mass index and pressure injuries risk in hospitalized adult patients: A dose-response analysis

The association between underweight and pressure injuries (PIs) has been established in several studies. However, there is a lack of well-designed research investigating the connection between overweight and obesity with these injuries.

This meta-analysis aims to investigate the dose-response relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of PIs in adult hospitalized patients.

PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE Databases were searched from inception to May 2024. Observational articles with at least three BMI categories were included in the study. BMI was defined as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and morbid obesity for the meta-analysis. The non-linear relationship between BMI and the risk of PIs in hospitalized adults was investigated using restricted cubic spline models. Fractional polynomial modeling was used.

Eleven articles reporting at least 3 categories of BMI met the inclusion criteria, including 31,389 participants. Compared to patients with normal weight, those with underweight, obesity, and morbid obesity exhibited an increased risk of PIs, with odds ratios of 1.70 (95%CI:1.50-1.91), 1.12 (95%CI:1.02-1.24), 1.70 (95%CI:1.13-2.55), respectively. A J-shaped dose-response model was established for the relationship between PI risk and BMI (P_{non-linearity} < 0.001, P_linearity = 0.745).

The J-shaped dose-response pattern revealed that underweight, obesity and morbid obesity heightened the risk of PIs in hospitalized adults. Lower and higher BMI values may signify an increased risk for PIs, particularly among the elderly with lower BMI, providing valuable guidance for medical staff.