Paraplegic pressure sore frequency versus circulation measurements.

Paraplegic subjects (N = 34) were examined to determine the association of pressure sore history with respect to ankle pressure ratio and buttocks cutaneous plethysmographic harmonic persistence. No relationship was found between pressure sore history and ankle pressure ratio. No significant difference in ankle pressure ratios exists for those who have a pressure sore history as compared to those who have not experienced a pressure sore in 5 years. Those subjects with a diminished buttocks circulation harmonic persistence are more likely to have experienced one or more pressure sores than those subjects with normal circulation characteristics. A Poisson distribution analysis of multiple pressure sore occurrence suggests that repeated pressure sores are unlikely to arise as the result of chance.