An analysis of the diverse factors concerned with the development of pressure sores in spinal cord injured patients.

Patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) admitted to the Institut Guttmann, Barcelona, from the years 1985 to 1988 with pressure sores (PS) are reviewed. Demographic, pathological and psychological factors are analysed in an attempt to identify organic and/or behavioural patterns which might imply an added risk for the development of pressure sores in the spinal cord injured. About 30% of 884 SCI patients admitted during this period had one or more PS (mean 1.5), most of these were localised to the ischial, trochanteric and sacral regions, and about 70% were grade 3 or 4 (Enis and Sarmiento classification). The study supports the generally acknowledged view that a precarious state of health and certain psycho-social conditions are contributing factors to a higher risk in the development and severity of PS in SCI patients.