Trends in mortality due to pressure ulcers in Spain, over the period 1999-2016.

AIM: to analyse trends in mortality by Pressure Ulcers (PU) in Spain, between 1999 and 2016. METHODS: Mortality due to PU in residents in Spain over 65, where a PU was underlying/basic cause of death, was analysed. Data for populations and deaths were gathered from the Spanish National Statistics Institute. Variables were age, sex, year of death and underlying/basic cause of death. Age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated (direct method), with 2013 European standard population. To analyse temporal trends and to detect significant changes, joinpoint regression models were adjusted to estimate average annual percentage change of Age-Adjusted mortality Rates for each segment detected. An analysis was performed for those over 65, and by the age groups 65-84, and over 84 years. RESULTS: A total of 11,238 deaths due to PU in people over 65, between 1999 and 2016, were analysed. There was a general decrease for both, women and men, over the period. From the Joinpoint analysis, for men, two changes were detected in those over 65, with a significant decrease observed until 2008. For those over 84, was a significant decrease of 4.4% on average per year. For women, a significant decrease is observed in all age groups, with a change of trend in 2007. CONCLUSION: This study provides a general overview of the epidemiology of PU mortality in Spain. It may serve as a confirmation of the good health policies carried out in the past on PU, given that we observe a generalised decrease in mortality from PUs over the period. Mortality was higher in women at the beginning of the period but without differences at the end, compared with men. Changes occurred over time could be explained by implementation of patient safety policies.

Long term mortality of patients with Parkinson's disease treated with deep brain stimulation in a reference center.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, with a higher risk of death than general population. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been used to treat PD for more than 2 decades, but few studies exist concerning mortality in this subset of patients. Our goal is to analyse mortality in PD patients treated with DBS in our centre. METHODS: retrospective evaluation of clinical files of patients with PD who underwent DBS surgery consecutively between October 2002 and May 2019. RESULTS: 346 patients were included in the analysis, 60 % male, with a mean age at disease onset of 48± 8 years (18-64), mean age at surgery of 60 ± 7 years (33-75), and mean disease duration until surgery of 14 ± 6 years (3-52). Mean follow-up after surgery was 7 ± 4 years (range 1-17). Overall mortality rate was 17.9 % and mean age at time of death was 71 ± 6 years. The main causes of death were pneumonia, dementia and acute myocardial infarction. In our series, male gender and disease duration until surgery were the only predictors of mortality in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a long-term survival higher than previously described, and suggests that the treatment of patients with shorter disease evolution might have a survival benefit. The leading causes of death in PD patients treated with DBS seems unrelated to surgery, as the main causes of death are comparable to non-DBS patients.

Association of patient safety indicator 03 and clinical outcome in a surgery hospital.

PURPOSE: Patient safety indicators (PSIs) were developed as a tool for hospitals to identify potentially preventable complications and improve patient safety performance. The study aimed at measuring the incidence of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) PSI03 (pressure ulcer [PU] rate) and to identify the association between PSI03 and clinical outcomes including death, readmission within 30 days and length of stay (LOS) at the cardiothoracic surgery hospital at Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: An exploratory prospective cohort study was conducted to follow up patients, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, from admission until one month after discharge at the cardiothoracic surgery hospital. Data were collected through basic information and follow-up sheets. The total number of included participants in the study was 330. FINDINGS: PSI03 incidence rate was 67.7 per 1,000 discharges. Patients aged 60 years and above had the highest risk among all age groups. In patients who developed PSI03, the risk ratio (RR) of death was 8.8 [95% CI (3.79-20.24)], RR of staying more than 30 days at the hospital was 1.5 [95% CI (1.249-1.872)] and of readmission within 30 days in patients who developed PSI03 was 1.5 [95% CI (0.38-6.15)]. In the study's hospital, the patients who developed PSI03 were at higher risk of death and stayed longer at the hospital than patients without PSI03. This study demonstrated a clear association between PSI03 and patient outcomes such as LOS and mortality. Early detection, prevention and proper management of PSI03 are recommended to decrease unfavorable clinical outcomes. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The importance of PSIs lies in the fact that they facilitate the recognition of the adverse events and complications which occurred during hospitalization and give the hospitals a chance to improve the possible clinical outcomes. Therefore, the current study aimed at measuring the association between AHRQ PSI03 ( PU rate) and the clinical outcomes including death, readmission within 30 days and the LOS at the cardiothoracic surgery hospital at Ain Shams University. This study will provide the hospital management with baseline data for this type of adverse event and guide them to develop a system for identifying the high-risk group of patients and to upgrade relevant hospital policies and guidelines that lead to improved patient outcomes.

Mortality and secondary complications four years after traumatic spinal cord injury in Cape Town, South Africa.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, regional, population-based study. OBJECTIVES: (1) Determine the mortality rate and factors associated with it 4 years after a TSCI and (2) The point prevalence of secondary medical complications of survivors at 4 years. SETTING: Communities of the Cape metropolitan area, South Africa. METHODS: All persons (n = 145) sustaining a TSCI from 15 September 2013 to 14 September 2014 were eligible for follow-up at 4 years. Participants were contacted after 4 years. The next of kin, via verbal autopsy, was used to establish cause of death. Those who were alive at 4 years were asked to indicate any secondary medical complications. Logistic regression techniques were used to identify independently associated risk indicators for death and development of secondary complications, respectively. RESULTS: Of the initial 145 persons, 87 were included and accounted for. Of these, 21 (24%) had died, 55 (63%) were alive and completed the survey, and 11 (13%) were classified as alive but did not submit the survey. The main cause of death reported was septicaemia (n = 7; 33%), followed by unknown natural causes (n = 7; 33%), then pressure injuries (n = 5; 24%). Out of the 55 persons alive, 89% had at least one medical complication at the time of enquiry, while more than 50% experienced 6 or more complications. The most common complications were pain (80%), muscle spasms (76%), sleeping problems (56%), and bladder dysfunction (44%). CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-quarter of persons with TSCI have died 4 years after injury. Also, secondary complications were found to be highly prevalent at 4 years. This information could be used to develop secondary complications prevention programmes to reduce premature deaths. SPONSORSHIP: This study was funded by the Medical Research Council of South Africa within the Research Capacity Development Initiative.

Clinical evaluation with long-term follow-up of patients with pressure ulcers in one Swedish county.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a screening, skin examination and risk assessment of patients with pressure ulcers (PUs) in one Swedish county (inpatient, primary and community care) with follow-up after six months to investigate ulcer healing, frequency of amputation and mortality rate linked to preventive measures. METHOD: The methodology recommended by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel was used. Screening, risk assessment and skin examination were performed during March 2017. The modified Norton scale was used to assess PU risk, with a score of ≤20 indicating presence of risk. A research questionnaire was used to document prevention and treatment. Follow-up was performed after six months, during September 2017. The same research questionnaire was used to capture the current situation of the patients, including ulcer healing, frequency of amputation, and mortality rate. RESULTS: Screening covered 464 patients: 303 hospitalised, 68 in community care, and 93 in primary care. A total of 110 patients-55 at risk of PU and 55 with PUs, the majority of which were category 2-4 PUs-were included in the study. At follow-up, 67% were treated in community care, 32% in primary care, and 1% in hospital. Mortality rate for patients with PUs was 44%. Of the remaining 31 patients, 17 had unhealed PUs, 10 had healed PUs, two had undergone amputation, and complete follow-up data was missing in the remaining two patients. CONCLUSION: These results reflect the complex situation of an aged and frail patient group, including a lack of preventive measures and follow-up routines in community and primary care.

The Association Between Pressure Ulcer/Injury Development and Short-term Mortality in Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Pressure ulcers/injuries (PU/Is) affect the social, mental, and physical well-being of patients; increase treatment costs; prolong hospital stays; increase patient risk for infections; and may independently decrease life expectancy. PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the association between PU/I development and mortality in a large cohort of consecutively admitted critically ill patients. METHODS: Data from adult patients ( >18 years of age) admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) between 2010 and 2013 were extracted from the ICU electronic clinical information system. Patients were excluded if they had a PU/I present on admission, no recorded admission modified Jackson/Cubbin (mJ/C) or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, or their ICU outcome was undetermined. The mJ/C risk scale (score range 9-48) was used to assess the PU/I risk (the lower the score, the higher the PU/I risk), the SOFA score (score range 0-24; the higher the SOFA score, the sicker the patient, with a higher risk of death) was used to assess the severity of the condition and outcome. ICU outcome was defined as 1) moved from the ICU to a ward/recovering or 2) no response to ICU treatment/deceased. All data were transferred to statistical software for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the outcome related to PU/I development, SOFA, and mJ/C scores. Descriptive contingency tables of different scenarios were used to further evaluate relationships among different risk factors related to mortality; the Wald χ2 test was used to assess the statistical significance of the contingency tables. RESULTS: Of the 6582 patients admitted, 6089 were included for analysis. Two hundred, one (201) had a PU/In on admission, 212 had missing mJ/C or SOFA scores, and ICU outcome was undetermined in 80 patients. Patient mean age was 61.1 ± 15.8 (range 18-94) years; 3891 (63.9%) were male, average length of stay (LOS) was 3.6 days, denoted by quartile (Q) (median 1.58 days; Q1: 0.9, Q3: 3.9 days), and 1589 (26.1%) stayed 3 days or more in the ICU. The incidence of PU/I was 6.9% (423 patients), and ICU mortality rate was 9.1% (n=553). The mean LOS of patients with PU/I was 13.35 ± 15.56 days (median 8.95, Q1: 4.88, Q3: 16.2) and 2.84 ± 3.87 days for patients with no PU/I (median: 1.20, Q1: 0.90, Q3: 3.17; P <.0001). Mean LOS was 3.42 ± 5.95 days (median: 1.30, Q1: 0.90, Q3: 3.70) among recovering and 5.00 ± 7.17 days among deceased patients (median 2.56, Q1: 1.26, Q3: 6.40; P <.0001). The proportion of patients with an admission mJ/C score of 29 or less ranged from 48.8% to 51.5%, and the mean SOFA score was 7.0 ± 3.2. PU/I development and SOFA or mJ/C scores were independent predictors of mortality. The probability of a negative outcome was higher in persons with PU/Is compared to persons with no PU/Is. Persons with lower SOFA scores (ie, less severely ill patients) and higher mJ/C scores for each factor separately (ie, at low risk of PU/I development) each factor separately had a lower mortality risk. CONCLUSION: PU/I development in critically ill patients treated at an ICU is an independent predictor of mortality, even though the PU/I incidence and hospital mortality were relatively low. The ICU admission SOFA and mJ/C score also were independent prognosticators of ICU mortality. Future research could focus on the role of different steps in the cascade of PU/I development, especially to the role of inflammation.

Complications and mortality after acute traumatic spinal cord injury in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: We studied complications during early rehabilitation and their relation to length of stay (LOS) in the hospital as well as to survival in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). SETTING: All specialized hospitals of Saint Petersburg. METHODS: We analysed all charts of patients admitted with acute TSCI to the city hospitals, 2012-2016. Patient characteristics, complications, time and cause of death, and LOS were recorded. Mean values with standard deviations and t-tests were used. We analysed mortality rate using the Kaplan-Meier method and calculated relative risks (RRs). RESULTS: A total of 311 patients with TSCI were included. Complications occurred in 34% of patients; most were respiratory complications and pressure ulcers. Complications occurred more often in those with concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI) (RR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.8). All complications prolonged LOS (median, 11 days) and increased mortality in the acute phase (p < 0.001). In the early phase, 15% died, with a median time to death of 13 days. Respiratory complications markedly increased the death rate (RR = 18, 95% CI: 15-22). Mortality rate correlated also with age, TSCI severity and level, and concomitant TBI. Alcohol/drug consumption before TSCI increased the likelihood for complications (RR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3-2.1) and mortality (RR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.6-3.1). CONCLUSION: Focus on prevention as well as early and optimal treatment of complications, together with no or low alcohol/drug consumption may reduce mortality in the early phase after TSCI and at the same time shorten LOS.

The Phenomenon of Trombley-Brennan Terminal Tissue Injury in a Neonate: A Case Study.

BACKGROUND: Trombley-Brennan terminal tissue injury (TB-TTI), also known as skin failure, was first identified in 2009 among critically ill adults receiving palliative care. Identification of this skin injury can be misinterpreted as a pressure ulcer. However, this phenomenon is now accepted as an early sign of impending death among critically ill adults. CLINICAL FINDINGS: This case study describes TB-TTI in a terminally ill infant in a neonatal intensive care unit evidenced by intact, 2-cm oval skin discoloration on the lateral side of both knees with rapid progression in size. PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS: TB-TTI was identified on the day of death in an infant with a primary diagnosis of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy born at 32 weeks' gestation. INTERVENTIONS: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) team mobilized the NICU advanced care team, institution's ethical council, and "Team Lavender" to provide infant comfort measures and emotional support to the family and care givers. OUTCOMES: Infant death occurred 8 hours after TB-TTI was identified. PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS: To our knowledge, this case study of TB-TTI in a terminally ill neonate in the NICU has not been previously described in the neonatal or pediatric population. Early recognition of the phenomenon can enable the healthcare team to provide timely emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial support to the family and allow time to "be present" with the infant at "end of life." Future work should explore additional signs of TB-TTI and the occurrence rate.

Pressure Injuries at Intensive Care Unit Admission as a Prognostic Indicator of Patient Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Pressure injuries, also known as pressure ulcers, are a serious complication of immobility. Patients should be thoroughly examined for pressure injuries when admitted to the intensive care unit to optimize treatment. Whether community-acquired pressure injuries correlate with poor hospital outcomes among critically ill patients is understudied. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether pressure injuries present upon admission to the intensive care unit can serve as a predictive marker for longer hospitalization and increased mortality. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed admissions of adult patients to a 24-bed medical-surgical intensive care unit in a large level I trauma center in the northeast United States from 2010 to 2012. The association of pressure injuries with mortality and length of stay was assessed, using multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear models, adjusted for age, comorbidities, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score, and other patient characteristics. RESULTS: Among 2723 patients, 180 (6.6%) had a pressure injury at admission. Patients with a pressure injury had longer mean unadjusted stay (15.6 vs 10.5 days; P < .001) and higher in-hospital mortality rate (32.2% vs 18.3%; P < .001) than did patients without a pressure injury at admission. After multivariable adjustment, pressure injuries were associated with a mean increase in length of stay of 3.1 days (95% CI 1.5-4.7; P < .001). Pressure injuries were not associated with mortality after adjusting for the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score, but they may serve as a marker for increased risk of mortality if an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score is unavailable. CONCLUSION: Pressure injuries present at admission to the intensive care unit are an objective, easy-to-identify finding associated with longer stays. Pressure injuries might have a modest association with higher risk of mortality.

Impact of Pressure Injuries on Patient Outcomes in a Korean Hospital: A Case-Control Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of pressure injuries on mortality, hospital length of stay, healthcare costs, and readmission rates in hospitalized patients. DESIGN: A case-control study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 5000 patients admitted to a tertiary hospital located in Seoul Korea; 1000 patients with pressure injuries (cases) were compared to 4000 patients who acted as controls. METHODS: We retrospectively extracted clinical data from electronic health records. Study outcomes were mortality, hospital length of stay, healthcare costs, and readmission rates. The impact of pressure injuries on death and readmission was analyzed via multiple logistic regression, hospital deaths within 30 days were analyzed using the survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression, and impact on the length of hospitalization and medical costs were analyzed through a multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Developing a pressure injury was significantly associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 3.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.91-5.33), 30-days in-hospital mortality (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.59-3.00), and healthcare cost (ß = 11,937,333; P < .001). Pressure injuries were significantly associated with an extended length of hospitalization (ß = 20.84; P < .001) and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (ß = 8.16; P < .001). Having a pressure injury was significantly associated with an increased risk of not being discharged home (OR, 5.55; 95% CI, 4.35-7.08), along with increased risks of readmission (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.62) and emergency department visits after discharge (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.29-2.23). CONCLUSIONS: Development of pressure injuries influenced mortality, healthcare costs, ICU and hospital length of stay, and healthcare utilization following discharge (ie, readmission or emergency department visits). Hospital-level efforts and interdisciplinary approaches should be prioritized to develop interventions and protocols for pressure injury prevention.

Prelude to Death or Practice Failure? Trombley-Brennan Terminal Tissue Injury Update.

In 2012, we published a study in this journal exploring the emergence of unique skin changes in end-of-life patients admitted to a palliative care unit. The purpose of the study was to describe the skin changes and identify the relationship between these changes and time of death. In the above study of 80 patients, the skin changes were found to be unique and different from Kennedy terminal ulcers and deep tissue injuries. Median time from identification of skin changes and death was 36 hours. The phenomenon was named as Trombley-Brennan terminal tissue injury. The current article presents findings that include the study of additional 86 patients. The results further validate the phenomenon and its relationship with time of death.

Health factors and spinal cord injury: a prospective study of risk of cause-specific mortality.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Identify the risk and protective factors of all-cause and cause-specific mortality among persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Rehabilitation specialty hospital in the Southeastern United States. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 3070 adults with traumatic SCI who were a minimum of 1 year post-injury at assessment. Prospective data were collected in 1997-1998 and 2007-2010, with mortality determined as of 31 December, 2016. The deceased were classified into six categories based on underlying cause of death: septicemia, pneumonia and influenza, cancer, heart and blood vessel diseases, unintentional injuries, and all other causes. The competing risk analysis strategy applied to each of the specific causes. RESULTS: There were a total of 803 observed deaths among the 2979 final study sample. After controlling for demographic and injury characteristics, general health, pressure ulcer history, and symptoms of infections were significantly associated with all-cause mortality. Except for cancer, they were also related with at least one of the specific causes of death, whereas orthopedic complications and subsequent injuries were unrelated to any cause. CONCLUSIONS: Three health domains, global health, pressure ulcers, and symptoms of illness or infection, were significantly associated with mortality after SCI, and the patterns of association varied as a function of specific cause of death.

Two-Hourly Repositioning for Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in the Elderly: Patient Safety or Elder Abuse?

For decades, aged care facility residents at risk of pressure ulcers (PUs) have been repositioned at two-hour intervals, twenty-four-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week (24/7). Yet, PUs still develop. We used a cross-sectional survey of eighty randomly selected medical records of residents aged ≥ 65 years from eight Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) to determine the number of residents at risk of PUs, the use of two-hourly repositioning, and the presence of PUs in the last week of life. Despite 91 per cent (73/80) of residents identified as being at risk of PUs and repositioned two-hourly 24/7, 34 per cent (25/73) died with one or more PUs. Behaviours of concern were noted in 72 per cent (58/80) of residents of whom 38 per cent (22/58) were restrained. Dementia was diagnosed in 70 per cent (56/80) of residents. The prevalence of behaviours of concern displayed by residents with dementia was significantly greater than by residents without dementia (82 per cent v 50 per cent, p = 0.028). The rate of restraining residents with dementia was similar to the rate in residents without dementia. Two-hourly repositioning failed to prevent PUs in a third of at-risk residents and may breach the rights of all residents who were repositioned two-hourly. Repositioning and restraining may be unlawful. Rather than only repositioning residents two-hourly, we recommend every resident be provided with an alternating pressure air mattress.

Risk Adjustment for Hospital Characteristics Reduces Unexplained Hospital Variation in Pressure Injury Risk.

BACKGROUND: Research investigating risk factors for hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) has primarily focused on the characteristics of patients and nursing staff. Limited data are available on the association of hospital characteristics with HAPI. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to quantify the association of hospital characteristics with HAPI and their effect on residual hospital variation in HAPI risk. METHODS: We employed a retrospective cohort study design with split validation using hierarchical survival analysis. This study extends the analysis "Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury (HAPI): Risk Adjusted Comparisons in an Integrated Healthcare Delivery System" by Rondinelli et al. (2018) to include hospital-level factors. We analyzed 1,661 HAPI episodes among 728,266 adult hospitalization episodes across 35 California Kaiser Permanente hospitals, an integrated healthcare delivery system between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2015. RESULTS: After adjusting for patient-level and hospital-level variables, 2 out of 12 candidate hospital variables were statistically significant predictors of HAPI. The hazard for HAPI decreased by 4.8% for every 0.1% increase in a hospital's mean mortality ([6.3%, 2.6%], p < .001), whereas every 1% increase in a hospital's proportion of patients with a history of diabetes increased HAPI hazard by 5% ([-0.04%, 10.0%], p = .072). Addition of these hierarchical variables decreased unexplained hospital variation of HAPI risk by 35%. DISCUSSION: We found hospitals with higher patient mortality had lower HAPI risk. Higher patient mortality may decrease the pool of patients who live to HAPI occurrence. Such hospitals may also provide more resources (specialty staff) to care for frail patient populations. Future research should aim to combine hospital data sets to overcome power limitations at the hospital level and should investigate additional measures of structure and process related to HAPI care.

Puntuación de la escala de Norton al ingreso y mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados en Medicina Interna / Norton scale score on admission and mortality of patients hospitalised in Internal Medicine departments

Objetivo. Determinar la asociación entre la puntuación de la escala de Norton (que valora el riesgo de padecer úlceras por presión) y la mortalidad a corto, medio y largo plazo en los pacientes hospitalizados en Medicina Interna. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo, unicéntrico, de pacientes ingresados en los meses de octubre de 2010, y enero, mayo y octubre de 2011. Se recogieron la edad, sexo, índice de Barthel, escala de Norton, presencia de úlceras por presión, categoría diagnóstica mayor, estancia hospitalaria y peso del grupo relacionado de diagnóstico. Se dividió a los pacientes según las categorías de riesgo de la escala de Norton. El seguimiento fue de 3 años. Resultados. Se incluyeron 624 pacientes con una edad mediana (rango intercuartílico) de 79 (17) años y una puntuación mediana en la escala de Norton de 16 (7). Durante el ingreso fallecieron 74 (11,9%) pacientes, a los 6 meses 176 (28,2%), al año 212 (34,0%), y a los 3 años 296 (47,4%). La mortalidad fue mayor en las categorías de más riesgo en la escala de Norton. La puntuación en la escala de Norton se asoció de forma independiente con la mortalidad a los 6 meses (p<0,001), al año (p=0,005), y 3 años (p=0,002). Las áreas bajo la curva de la escala de Norton fueron 0,746 (IC95% 0,686-0,806), 0,735 (IC95% 0,691-0,780) y 0,751 (IC95% 0,713-0,789), respectivamente (p<0,001). Conclusiones. La escala de Norton es útil para predecir el pronóstico a corto, medio y largo plazo en pacientes ingresados en Medicina Interna

Objective. To determine the association between the Norton scale score (which assesses the risk of pressure ulcers) and mortality in the short, medium and long term in patients hospitalised in Internal Medicine departments. Patients and methods. A prospective, single-centre cohort study was conducted on patients hospitalised in the months of October 2010 and January, May and October 2011. Data was collected on age, sex, Barthel index, Norton scale, presence of pressure ulcers, major diagnostic category, hospital stay and weight of the diagnosis-related group. The patients were divided according to the risk categories of the Norton scale. The follow-up was 3 years. Results. The study included 624 patients with a median age (interquartile range) of 79 (17) years and a median Norton scale score of 16 (7). During hospitalisation, 74 (11.9%) patients died, 176 (28.2%) died at 6 months, 212 (34.0%) died at 1 year, and 296 (47.4%) died at 3 years. Mortality was greater in the higher risk categories of the Norton scale. The Norton score was independently associated with mortality at 6 months (p<.001), at 1 year (p=.005), and at 3 years (p=.002). The areas under the curve of the Norton scale were 0.746 (95% CI 0.686-0.806), 0.735 (95% CI 0.691-0.780) and 0.751 (95% CI 0.713-0.789), respectively (p<.001). Conclusions. The Norton scale is useful for predicting the prognosis in the short, medium and long term in patients hospitalized in internal medicine departments

Escala de Norton y pronóstico vital / Norton scale and vital prognosis

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Complications and their associations following the surgical repair of pressure ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Despite high expenditure, there is little national data on rates of complications following pressure ulcer repair. Complications, mortality and their predictors following surgical repair of pressure ulcers were evaluated. METHODS: Patients undergoing pressure ulcer repair were identified in the NSQIP database from 2005 to 2015. Regression models were used to identify risk factors for complications. RESULTS: 1248 cases were identified with a complication rate of 35.0%. Obesity was associated with increased risk of complications, whereas flap closure was associated with fewer complications. Thirty-day mortality was 3.3%. Elderly age and diabetes were associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly age, diabetes and dependency are associated with increased mortality following pressure ulcer surgery. Flap repair is associated with decreased complications. Pressure ulcer reconstruction requires careful patient selection and surgical technique to mitigate risks and mortality.

Pressure ulcers are associated with 6-month mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture managed in orthogeriatric care pathway.

Despite orthogeriatric management, 12% of the elderly experienced PUs after hip fracture surgery. PUs were significantly associated with a low albumin level, history of atrial fibrillation coronary artery disease, and diabetes. The risk ratio of death at 6 months associated with pressure ulcer was 2.38 (95% CI 1.31-4.32%, p = 0.044). INTRODUCTION: Pressure ulcers in hip fracture patients are frequent and associated with a poor outcome. An orthogeriatric management, recommended by international guidelines in hip fracture patients and including pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, could influence causes and consequences of pressure ulcer. However, remaining factors associated with pressure ulcer occurrence and prognostic value of pressure ulcer in hip fracture patients managed in an orthogeriatric care pathway remain unknown. METHODS: From June 2009 to April 2015, all consecutive patients with hip fracture admitted to a unit for Post-operative geriatric care were evaluated for eligibility. Patients were included if their primary presentation was due to hip fracture and if they were ≥ 70 years of age. Patients were excluded in the presence of pathological fracture or if they were already hospitalized at the time of the fracture. In our unit, orthogeriatric principles are implemented, including a multi-component intervention to improve pressure ulcer prevention and management. Patients were followed-up until 6 months after discharge. RESULTS: Five hundred sixty-seven patients were included, with an overall 14.4% 6-month mortality (95% CI 11.6-17.8%). Of these, 67 patients (12%) experienced at least one pressure ulcer. Despite orthogeriatric management, pressure ulcers were significantly associated with a low albumin level (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84-0.96; p = 0.003) and history of atrial fibrillation (RR 1.91, 95% CI 1.05-3.46; p = 0.033), coronary artery disease (RR 2.16, 95% CI 1.17-3.99; p = 0.014), and diabetes (RR 2.33, 95% CI 1.14-4.75; p = 0.02). A pressure ulcer was associated with 6-month mortality (RR 2.38, 95% CI 1.31-4.32, p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: In elderly patients with hip fracture managed in an orthogeriatric care pathway, pressure ulcer remained associated with poorly modifiable risk factors and long-term mortality.

Survival rate and pressure ulcer prevalence in patients with and without dementia: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence of pressure ulcers (PUs) in older patients with advanced dementia versus older patients without dementia but with other comorbidities, such as diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and chronic renal failure. PUs were thought to be more prevalent and to present a higher risk of mortality in patients with dementia. METHOD: PUs were assessed on admission using the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) staging system. Patients were classified as either with or without dementia according to Reisberg's functional assessment staging test (FAST). The prevalence of PUs and the survival rates were analysed and compared in both groups. The combined effect of PUs and dementia on survival was assessed using the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The median survival rate of patients with PUs and dementia was 63 days, significantly lower than in patients with PUs without dementia 117 days. Both groups had similar other comorbidities. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the requirement for geriatricians and health professionals to be more vigilant in examining PUs as dementia progresses.