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Nutritional prediction of pressure ulcers
1National Cancer Institute, Cancer Prevention Fellowship Office, Rockville, MD 20892.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Poor nutrition increases the risk of pressure ulcers in hospital patients. Inadequate energy and protein intake are key nutritional risk factors. High-energy, high-protein diets are recommended for at-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Gerontology
- Wound Care
Background:
- Pressure ulcers are a significant concern in healthcare settings, particularly for hospitalized and nursing home patients.
- Nutritional status is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing pressure ulcer development and healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify nutritional risk factors that predict the development of pressure ulcers.
- To inform clinical practice regarding nutritional interventions for pressure ulcer prevention.
Main Methods:
- Review of cross-sectional and prospective studies examining nutritional status and pressure ulcer incidence.
- Analysis of common nutritional indicators and risk assessment tools, including the Braden scale.
Main Results:
- Cross-sectional studies linked inadequate energy/protein intake, underweight status, low triceps skinfold, and low serum albumin/cholesterol/hemoglobin to pressure ulcers.
- Prospective studies identified inadequate energy/protein intake, poor Braden scale scores, and low serum albumin as predictors of pressure ulcer development.
Conclusions:
- Nutritional assessment and intervention are crucial for preventing pressure ulcers.
- Patients at risk should receive high-energy, high-protein diets to improve nutritional status and reduce ulcer incidence.