Risk factors for the development of pressure sores in hospitalized elderly patients: results of a prospective study.

Pressure sores are a serious and still common complication of immobility in the elderly. Despite the potential seriousness of the problem, factors that identify bedridden patients at the greatest risk for pressure sores have not been well characterized and the epidemiology is not yet well defined. The characteristics of 56 subjects with pressure sores and 92 at risk (confined to bed or chair for at least 1 week) were first compared in a cross-sectional analysis; subjects at risk were then followed up for 2 months to identify factors that may contribute to the appearance of pressure sores during hospitalization. In hospitalized patients at risk we found an incidence of 22.8% within 60 days. Our data suggest that age is not a risk factor for the development of pressure sores, while urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, altered consciousness, impairment of cognitive function, poor functional status, time spent in bed, lack of caregivers and poor nutritional status are important factors associated with pressure sores in hospitalized elderly patients.