ABSTRACT
Epidemiology and Risk Factors Pressure ulcers are a major health care problem costing billions of dollars annu
ally. Patients can be classified into two groups: insensate (denervated ulcers) or sensate (innervated ulcers). The major risk factor for the patients in the first group is inadequate reposition and turning. A history of a previous pressure sore is also a significant risk factor. Roughly 60% of spinal cord injury patients will develop a pressure ulcer during their lifetime. Sensate patients also develop pressure sores due to prolonged pressure. The patients at the highest risk are elderly with femoral neck fractures, of which 65% will develop a pressure ulcer. Other high risk groups in clude ICU patients, burn patients and elderly residents of long-term care facilities, o f which about 20-30% will develop a pressure sore. Among the sensate patients, risk factors include a low ratio of staff to patients, infrequent turning, prolonged immobility, poor nutritional status, significant weight loss, use of catheters and the required use of positioning devices.
