Pressure ulcers during the COVID-19 pandemic in intensive care:A multicenter cohort study.

AIM: The objective of the present study is twofold: to describe the prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers (PUs) among ICU patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the risk factors associated with the development of PUs in this cohort of ICU patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of adult critical care patients admitted in two general ICUs of two different countries (Sweden and Portugal) between March 1st, 2020, and April 30th, 2021, through the analysis of the electronic health record database. The prevalence and incidence were calculated, and a multivariate logistic-regression model was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs), of possible risk factors of PU development. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1717 patients. The overall prevalence of PU was 15.3 %, and the incidence of ICU-acquired PUs was 14.1 %. Most of the pressure ulcers documented in this study were at the anterior part of the body (45.35 %) and regarding classification, Category 2 (38.40 %) and Category 3 (22.71 %) pressure ulcers together accounted for over fifty percent of the cases recorded. In the multivariate logistic regression model for PU, age, having COVID-19 (OR = 1.58, 95 % CI: 1.20-2.09), use of mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.49, 95 % CI: 1.13 = 1.97), use of vasopressors (OR = 1.31, 95 % CI: 1.00-1.70), having a Braden risk score ≤16 at admission (OR = 1.63; 95 % CI: 1.04-2.56), and length of stay (LOS) (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI 1.03-2.00 if LOS 90-260 h, OR = 2.34, 95 % CI: 1.63-3.35 if LOS >260 h) were associated with the likelihood of developing an ICU-acquired PUs. CONCLUSION: When adjusted for covariates patients with COVID-19 had a higher risk for PU development during the ICU stay compared to patients without COVID-19. Health care personnel in ICU may consider incorporating COVID-19, age, use of mechanical ventilation, vasopressors and estimated LOS in addition to a comprehensive risk assessment including both a risk score and clinical assessment.

Artificial Intelligence in Wound Care Education: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

As healthcare continues evolving in the age of digital technology, the integration of artificial intelligence has emerged as a powerful force, particularly in wound care. The education of healthcare professionals in wound care is crucial for ensuring they acquire the necessary knowledge and skills, optimizing patient outcomes. This paper outlines the protocol for a scoping review with the goal of mapping and analyzing the current scientific evidence regarding the potential impact of artificial intelligence in wound care education. The current protocol follows the JBI methodological framework. The search was conducted in December 2023 in the following databases: CINAHL Complete (via EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Academic Search Complete, Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), Scopus, and Web of Science. Electronics searches were conducted in the Scientific Open Access Scientific Repositories of Portugal (RCAAP) and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, OpenAIRE, and Open Dissertations databases to access gray literature. Additionally, searches were performed on Google Scholar and specific journals such as the International Wound Journal, Skin Research and Technology, Journal of Wound Care, and Wound Repair and Regeneration. The initial database searches retrieved a total of 11,323 studies. After removing duplicates, a total of 6450 studies were submitted for screening. Currently, 15 studies are included in this review, and data charting and analysis are underway. The findings of this scoping review will likely provide insights into the application of artificial intelligence in wound care education.

The Metabolic and Analytical Changes of Healthy Volunteers upon Intake of Portuguese Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A Comparison Study between Pre- and Post-Intervention.

(1) Background: Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is studied mostly for its health benefits in preventing non-communicable chronic diseases, particularly within a Mediterranean dietary pattern. However, few studies have addressed the effect of EVOO in healthy individuals, prior to an established disease. This study aims to evaluate the impact of Northern Portuguese polyphenol-rich EVOO (NPPR-EVOO) consumption on various important clinical parameters in healthy adult volunteers. (2) Methods: This quasi-experimental intervention study assessed the impact of NPPR-EVOO for a period of 100 days. Serum total cholesterol, HbA1c, HDL-c, LDL-c, and CRP, and anthropometric measures-waist and hip perimeters, hand grip strength, and body fat-were assessed and food logs were analyzed. (3) Results: Serum HbA1c (5.12 ± 0.32%; 4.93 ± 0.24, p = 0.000) and LDL-c (96.50 ± 28.57 mg/dL; 87.41 ± 31.38 mg/dL, p = 0.017) significantly decreased following NPPR-EVOO. Also, daily energy significantly increased, but no changes in other dietary parameters, or anthropometry, were seen. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet did not explain the differences found in individuals regarding serum lipid profile and HbA1c, reinforcing the role of EVOO's effect. (4) Conclusions: NPPR-EVOO lowered the serum levels of LDL cholesterol and HbA1c, providing clues on the effect of EVOO-putative health benefits. These results pave the way for a deeper exploration of EVOO as a functional food.

Non-invasive Ventilation Interventions for Skin Injury Prevention: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers associated with the non-invasive ventilation mask can significantly reduce the quality of life of the patient who needs this therapy. This study aims to identify clinical interventions to prevent skin lesions associated with the use of non-invasive ventilation medical devices. METHODS: The Scoping Review followed the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute. For this study the research was carried out, during the month of January 2022, in several databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOhost, RCAAP and OpenGrey, and studies published between 2010 and 2022 were included. RESULTS: Of the 33 articles identified, 11 articles were included in this review, in which we identified several interventions for the prevention of skin lesions associated with the use of medical devices for non-invasive ventilation. The interventions identified include skin assessment, optimal fixation of the device, and the use of interfaces, namely, hydrocolloid or foam dressing under the NIV mask, among others Conclusion: This scoping review demonstrates that there is some scientific evidence for prevention, however the methodological approaches are very different, which makes it difficult to clearly describe the referenced interventions. This study was not registered.