Prevalence of Bed sores among Patients Referring to a Medical Center in Iran

Despite the advances in medical technology and preventive programs, the incidence of pressure ulcers during hospitalization is increasing. This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of bedsores among hospitalized patients in a hospital in the north of Iran.

This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on all patients (n=244) with pressure ulcers admitted to Poursina Hospital, Rasht, Iran, within more than 48 h. The information of patients, such as age, gender, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, length of hospital stay, and body mass index were gathered from the patientchr('39')s hospital records. Ulcer evaluation was performed using the Braden Scale. The collected data were analyzed in Stata software version 14.1 using mean and standard deviation to describe the quantitative variables and numbers and percentages for qualitative variables.

Based on the findings, among all patients, 1.2%of the cases had pressure ulcers. The mean age of patients was obtained at 61.7±18.6 years. It was revealed that the frequency of pressure ulcers was higher in elderly patients. The history of diabetes had a significant positive relationship with pressure ulcers and Braden score. However, no significant relationship was observed between the history of smoking and ulcers. There was a significant inverse relationship between hypertension history and pressure ulcers and Braden score, meaning that the score was lower in patients with hypertension history. It was also found that patients with high BMI had a lower and significant score than patients with low BMI. A significant relationship was present between the length of hospitalization and the degree of bedsores. In the ulcers of the scapula, the Braden score was significantly higher.

Pressure ulcer was more common in patients aged over 60 years. The subjects with diabetes had a 5 times higher degree of pressure ulcers, and the prolonged hospitalization increased the degree of ulcer. Patients with high BMI had less, while significant pressure ulcers, compared to patients with low BMI.