Risk factors for community-acquired pressure injuries: Findings from a large-scale Asian case-control study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Wound Care

Background:

• Pressure injuries (PIs), or pressure ulcers, pose a significant global health challenge.
• Community-acquired PIs are increasingly prevalent, with limited research from Asian healthcare systems.
• Ageing populations and caregiver dependence necessitate region-specific prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors for community-acquired pressure injuries in adults admitted to acute care.
• To inform targeted prevention strategies for community-onset PIs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, unmatched case-control study using electronic medical records (January 2021-June 2022).
• Included 5772 cases of community-acquired PIs and 46,708 controls.
• Multivariable logistic regression identified significant predictors and interaction terms.

Main Results:

• Common PI site: sacrum/coccyx (51%).
• Key predictors: unemployment, poor nutrition, low serum albumin, functional dependence, moist skin, hypertension, and peptic ulcer history.
• A modest sex-based difference in albumin's association with PI risk was noted.

Conclusions:

• Community-acquired PI risk is multifactorial, influenced by sociodemographic, functional, nutritional, and microclimate factors.
• Moisture exposure and mobility limitations are critical predictors.
• Integrated prevention focusing on nutrition, mobility, and moisture management is recommended for ageing populations.