Prevalence and factors associated with chronic wounds in older adults in primary care

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of pressure injuries, diabetic and vasculogenic ulcers and associated factors in older adults attended in primary care. Method: A cross-sectional, analytical study with older adults attended in the Family Health Strategy in a Brazilian municipality. Data collection was performed from January to March 2016 using interviews and evaluations of injuries. The variables were submitted to the multivariate logistic regression model using the odds ratio, with their respective 95% confidence intervals and significance set at <0.05. Results: 339 older adults participated in the study. The mean age was 71.1 years, 67.3% were female, 44% were illiterate, 85% had low family income, 91.7% had underlying diseases, 37.2% had dietary restrictions, and 76.1% did not practice physical activity. The prevalence of pressure injury was 5.0%, diabetic ulcer 3.2%, and vasculogenic ulcer 2.9%. Not working and not regularly practicing physical activity increased the chances of presenting these injuries by 1.5 and 2.3 times, respectively. Being actively mobility and not having dietary restrictions were protective factors for not developing chronic wounds. Conclusion: The prevalence of injuries among older adults was high, and its occurrence is associated with socioeconomic and clinical characteristics.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic wounds in nursing homes in Germany

“…Multiple studies have classified immobility as one of the most common risk factors for geriatric syndromes such as pressure injuries, falls, and urinary incontinence 22,23 . Persons who are few physically active have a 1.5 to 2.3 times higher risk of a non‐healing wound 24 . Limited mobility can be the cause 24 or consequence 1 of chronic wounds.…”

“…22,23 Persons who are few physically active have a 1.5 to 2.3 times higher risk of a non-healing wound. 24 Limited mobility can be the cause 24 or consequence 1 of chronic wounds. Furthermore, patients with cardiovascular and/or neurological diseases are more susceptible to impaired wound healing.…”

Socioeconomic and clinical-epidemiological profile of people attended in an outpatient clinic for complex wounds

“…Outra variável abordada foi a prática de atividade física. Estudo transversal, analítico, apresentou que 76,1% de idosos assistidos na Estratégia Saúde da Família em grande município brasileiro não realizavam atividade física e, assim, apresentavam 2,3 vezes de chances de apresentar feridas, principalmente as vasculogênicas (12) . Literatura internacional aponta que o Índice de Massa Corporal fora dos parâmetros eutróficos é um dos fatores significativos do prolongamento de internação de pessoas com pé diabético (13) .…”

Predictive factors for worsening chronic wounds

“…As úlceras venosas, causadas pela insuficiência venosa crônica, são as mais frequentes, seja pela elevada incidência, pelo alto custo e pela duração do tratamento, bem como devido à constante reincidiva (4) . As pessoas com úlceras venosas podem apresentar sintomas como dor, feridas exsudativas, odor fétido, diminuição da mobilidade e desconforto devido aos curativos (5) .…”

“…Aliado a isso, a literatura aponta escassez de estudos sobre feridas crônicas e prevalência destas, enfatizando que a carência de estudos sobre o tema não se restringe ao Brasil (3) . Pontua-se que tais taxas tendem a aumentar em virtude do incremento do envelhecimento populacional e da expansão de morbidades, entre os quais se destacam as doenças metabólicas e as vasculares (3)(4) .…”