[Pressure ulcers in the elderly: analysis of prevalence and risk factors].

Studies on the prevalence of pressure ulcer and e.rperiences of living with elderly people with injuries during practice in long-stay institutions for the elderly have given rise to many concerns. This work aims to examine the prevalence and risk factors of pressure ulcer in the institutionalized elderly. This retrospective, quantitative study was held in a public long-stay institution for the elderly in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The sample consisted of 300 medical records of elderly from 2006 to 9009. It was used for data collection form. All ethical guidelines were followed. The most prevalent risk factors were: stroke (60%) and hypertension (74.3%). The average prevalence of pressure ulcers in the period was 18.8%, rangingfrom 11.1% to 23.2%. The recommendations for the prevention of pressure ulcers include the development of a prevention program to promote active aging