Evaluation of perioperative pressure injury in adults 65 years and older: A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION

Old age is an important risk factor for the formation of pressure injury (PI). The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, risk factors, characteristics of PI and suitability of risk assessment tools for patients aged 65 years and older.

METHOD: This prospective monocentric cohort study was conducted in Turkey between September 2022 and March 2023. Data were collected from a total of 240 surgical patients aged 65 years and older using a skin assessment form and the Braden and Munro scales for PI risk assessment.

RESULTS

The patients had a mean age of 72.90 ± 5.53 years, 123 (51 %) were male, 203 (85 %) had chronic diseases, and the mean operative time was 194.83 ± 99.45 min. PI occurred in 45 patients (18.8 %). PIs were most commonly stage I and located in the coccyx region. Postoperative Munro score, postoperative Braden score, and operative time were significant in univariate analyses (p < 0.001). According to the multiple logistic regression model, a postoperative Munro score ≥26 and postoperative Braden score ≤20 were independent factors associated with increased risk of PI.

CONCLUSION

Measures to prevent PI in surgical patients should begin in the preoperative period. Age alone may not be a risk factor in geriatric surgical patients. The Munro and Braden PI risk assessment scales can be used in geriatric surgical patients, but changes in cut-off score calculations may be required and additional age-related risk factors should be evaluated.