[Pressure ulcers and undernutrition--screening and assessment of nutritional status]

Praxis (Bern 1994). 2008 Mar 5;97(5):261-4. doi: 10.1024/1661-8157.97.5.261.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Acquired pressure ulcer is associated with significant human, economic and functional consequences. Its prevalence varies between 3 and 23% in a community hospital and between 7 and 54% in an elderly home residency. Pressure ulcer healing is a complex process which involves numerous cellular and molecular mechanisms. An altered nutritional status is a contributing factor in the development of pressure ulcers and the delay in pressure ulcer healing. The key to management of undernutrition is screening and early intervention. According to the gravity of undernutrition, various degrees of intervention will be required. Systematic oral supplementation with various nutrients may provide benefit in the prevention of pressure ulcers, but further studies have to be completed in human subjects prior to being recommended for the treatment of pressure ulcers.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Enteral Nutrition
  • Humans
  • Nutrition Assessment*
  • Patient Care Team
  • Pressure Ulcer / physiopathology*
  • Pressure Ulcer / prevention & control
  • Pressure Ulcer / therapy
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / diagnosis*
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / physiopathology
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / therapy
  • Risk Factors
  • Wound Healing / physiology