Nutrition
Volume 26, Issue 9 , Pages 886-889, September 2010

The relationship between malnutrition parameters and pressure ulcers in hospitals and nursing homes

  • Eman S.M. Shahin, B.Sc., M.Sc., R.N., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Suez Canal University, Port Said, Egypt
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: 0020 66 3222977; Fax: 0020 66 3226812.
    • ,
  • J.M.M. Meijers, R.N., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Health Care and Nursing Science, School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • J.M.G.A. Schols, M.D., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of General Practice, Maastricht University Medical Centre and School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • A. Tannen, R.N., M.A., M.P.H., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing Science, Centre for the Humanities and Health Sciences, Charité, Universitätsmedizin, Berlin
    • ,
  • R.J.G. Halfens, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Health Care and Nursing Science, School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • T. Dassen, Ph.D., R.N.

      Affiliations

    • Head of Department of Nursing Science, Centre for the Humanities and Health Sciences, Charité, Universitätsmedizin, Berlin

Received 11 May 2009; accepted 23 January 2010. published online 05 May 2010.

Abstract 

Objectives

Pressure ulcers (PU) remain a major health care problem throughout the world. Although malnutrition is considered to be one of the intrinsic risk factors for PU, more evidence is needed to identify the exact relation between PU and malnutrition. This study aims to identify whether there exists a relationship between PU and malnutrition in hospitals and nursing homes.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in April 2007 in hospitals and nursing homes in Germany. PU were assessed using the Braden scale. Malnutrition was assessed by low body mass index (BMI), undesired weight loss, and insufficient nutritional intake.

Results

Two thousand three hundred ninety-three patients from 29 nursing homes and 4067 patients from 22 hospitals participated in the study. PU in both hospital and nursing home patients were significantly (P < 0.01) related to undesired weight loss (5%–10%). Moreover low nutritional intake and low BMI (<18.5) were also significantly related to PU in hospitals and nursing homes.

Conclusion

There is a significant relationship between malnutrition parameters like undesired weight loss, BMI < 18.5, and low nutritional intake and PU.

Keywords: Pressure ulcer, BMI, Weight loss, Nutritional intake, Hospital, Nursing home, Malnutrition

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 Institution at which the work was performed: Centre of the Humanities and Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Science, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

 There is no financial conflict of interest for any of the authors.

PII: S0899-9007(10)00054-7

doi:10.1016/j.nut.2010.01.016

Nutrition
Volume 26, Issue 9 , Pages 886-889, September 2010

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