Decubitus ulcers: pathophysiology and primary prevention.
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND Pressure sores are a serious complication of multimorbidity and lack of mobility. Decubitus ulcers have become rarer among bed-ridden patients because of the conscientious use of pressure-reducing measures and increased mobilization. Nonetheless, not all decubitus ulcers can be considered preventable or potentially curable, because poor circulation makes some patients more susceptible to them, and because cognitive impairment can make prophylactic measures difficult to apply. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in 2004 and 2005 in the setting of a health technology assessment, and a selective literature search was performed in 2009 for papers on the prevention of decubitus ulcers. RESULTS Elderly, multimorbid patients with the immobility syndrome are at high risk for the development of decubitus ulcers, as are paraplegic patients. The most beneficial way to prevent decubitus ulcers, and to treat them once they are present, is to avoid excessive pressure by encouraging movement. At the same time, the risk factors that promote the development of decubitus ulcers should be minimized as far as possible. CONCLUSIONS Malnutrition, poor circulation (hypoperfusion), and underlying diseases that impair mobility should be recognized if present and then treated, and accompanying manifestations, such as pain, should be treated symptomatically. Over the patient's further course, the feasibility, implementation, and efficacy of ulcer-preventing measures should be repeatedly re-assessed and documented, so that any necessary changes can be made. Risk factors for the development of decubitus ulcers should be assessed at the time of the physician's first contact with an immobile patient, or as soon as the patient's condition deteriorates; this is a prerequisite for timely prevention. Once the risks have been assessed, therapeutic measures should be undertaken on the basis of the patient's individual risk profile, with an emphasis on active encouragement of movement and passive relief of pressure through frequent changes of position.
منابع مشابه
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متن کاملAuthor’s response to reviews Title: Support pressure distribution for positioning in neutral versus conventional positioning in the prevention of decubitus ulcers: A pilot study in healthy participants Authors:
Title: Support pressure distribution for positioning in neutral versus conventional positioning in the prevention of decubitus ulcers: A pilot study in healthy participants Authors: Heidrun Pickenbrock ([email protected]; [email protected]) Vera Ludwig ([email protected]) Antonia Zapf ([email protected]) Version: 1 Date: 20 Aug 2017 Author’s response to reviews...
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عنوان ژورنال:
- Deutsches Arzteblatt international
دوره 107 21 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2010