Examining the inclusion of ethnic minorities in pressure ulcer prediction studies

Pressure ulcers continue to present a major problem among frail elderly persons. In the United States, blacks and Latinos represent the fastest growing sub-populations within this age group. This trend is particularly evident in the "oldest of the old" category (85 years or more), in which blacks and Latinos are expected to increase in number by 24% during the next five decades. It is therefore important to recognize, prevent, and effectively manage pressure ulcers in these populations. Nonetheless, pressure ulcer prediction studies including ethnic minority subjects remain significantly lacking in the literature. The purpose of this article is to review the major pressure ulcer prediction scales and to critique them on the basis of their inclusion of black and Latino elders.