[Relationship between nutritional status and the risk of having pressure ulcers in patients included in a home care program].

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the nutritional status and the risk of pressure ulcers (PU) in patients within home care programs (ATDOM). We also evaluated the relationship between the level of cognitive impairment, physical dependence, underlying diseases and the nutritional status.

SCOPE

Patients in home care program in Primary Health Care.

PATIENTS

100 home care patients.

MAIN VARIABLES

age, sex, caregiver, illness, BMI, haemoglobin, haematocrit, lymphocyte count, albumin, cholesterol, Barthel index, Pfeiffer, nutritional assessment (MNA) and Braden scale.

RESULTS

Fourteen percent of the ATDOM patients had malnutrition and 46% a high risk of malnutrition. The degree of dependency, and the level of cognitive impairment increased (P<001) the risk of pressure ulcers. Furthermore, the nutritional status affected the risk of pressure ulcers (P<001) with OR 3.73 higher in malnourished patients. Values of 3.76±0.05g/dL albumin and cholesterol of 176.43±6.38 were associated with an increased risk of ulceration. There was a significant relationship between nutritional status (P<01) and the degree of dependence. In malnourished patients albumin levels decreased to 3.46±0.098, with averages of 11.41±154.95mg/dL cholesterol. Finally, a lower BMI was significantly related to malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that 14% of the ATDOM patients showed malnutrition, and 46% a high risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition, the degree of physical dependence and severity of cognitive impairment is associated with an increased risk of ulceration, which justify the need for carrying out some personalised measurements on ATDOM patients.