Improving the accuracy of pressure ulcer risk calculators: some preliminary evidence.

This study presents data from a prospective cohort study of 213 in-patient admissions of people over 65. Logit analysis was used to investigate the relative contribution of a range of risk factors to the risk of pressure ulcer occurrence, as a basis for development of improved risk assessment tools. It was found that for this population, a model containing the Waterlow risk factors appetite, continence, skin condition and age, plus diagnosis, performed better than one based on the complete set of Waterlow factors. Gender was not significant. A diagnosis of cancer was positively associated with pressure ulcer occurrence but presence of Parkinson's disease had the opposite effect.