Pressure Ulcer in Diabetic Older Adults with Covid-19; A Narrative Review

Older adults, especially those with diabetes, are more vulnerable to infectious diseases due to relative immunodeficiency and underlying disease, and are prone to Covid-19 for a variety of reasons. Of course, these conditions cause many adverse effects on the physical health of the elderly, one of which is pressure sores. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the studies performed on the prevention and management of pressure ulcers in diabetic elderly with Covid-19.

    This study was performed as a narrative review initially, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Clinical Key, Medline and SID databases were selected for search according to the specified keywords, and 390 related studies were found. This search was conducted in English and Persian and from this number, 14 studies that were eligible for inclusion in the study were selected and analyzed.

Diabetic older adults with Covid-19 are more prone to pressure ulcers due to severe inflammation, vascular complications, immobility, supine position, and respiratory connections. Changes in insulin levels as well as changes in cytokine levels play a role in increasing inflammation and pressure ulcers.

Diabetes management, the use of advanced dressings, prevention of dehydration, changing the position of the elderly, monitoring the patientchr('39')s respiratory connections and proper nutrition are all involved in preventing pressure ulcers.