Open AccessSpasticity and dementia increase the risk of pressure ulcers
Author(s) -
Jaul Efraim,
Factor Hagai,
Karni Sharon,
Schiffmiller Tehilla,
Meiron Oded
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international wound journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1742-481X
pISSN - 1742-4801
DOI - 10.1111/iwj.13110
Subject(s) - spasticity , medicine , dementia , logistic regression , physical therapy , disease
The aim of this study was to identify and characterise the association between the prevalence of pressure ulcers, spasticity levels, and advanced dementia in disable elderly patients. Data were obtained from the patient medical files. Patients were hospitalised in the geriatric skilled nursing department. A total of 40 frail elderly patients, bedbound and suffering from advanced chronic diseases, advanced dementia, and high‐grade pressure ulcers, were examined. Pressure ulcer grades and spasticity in advanced dementia versus non‐dementia patients were evaluated. Logistic regression indicated that only advanced dementia and spasticity were significantly associated with the development of pressure ulcers versus those without dementia or without spasticity. Patients with advanced dementia displayed a significantly higher prevalence of severe spasticity. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, spasticity was significantly associated with pressure ulcers. The strong association of spasticity with the onset of pressure ulcers in advanced dementia should encourage clinicians to implement preventative measures to delay the onset of pressure ulcers.