Risk Factors for Pressure Sores in Hospitalized Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke patients are a group at high risk for pressure sores. It is important to identify risk factors for pressure sores in acute ischemic stroke patients in order to facilitate early adoption of appropriate preventive and treatment measures.

METHODS: Data were derived from the China National Stroke Registry. Acute ischemic stroke patients aged >18 years who presented at the hospital within 14 days after the onset of symptoms were eligible for this study. Comprehensive baseline data were collected. The definition of pressure sores was based on assessment at discharge of whether the patient had pressure sores at any time during hospitalization.

RESULTS: 12,415 patients with a mean age of 67 years and a mean length of hospitalization of 14 days were included in the study. Among these patients, 97 (0.8%) had pressure sores during hospitalization. In the multivariate analysis of risk factors for pressure sores, age (each increment of 5 years), being unmarried, NIHSS at admission (each increment of 3 points), mRS at admission (3-5 points), diabetes mellitus, hemoglobin at admission (each incremental reduction of 10 units), and history of peripheral vascular disease all were significantly correlated with the occurrence of pressure sores among acute ischemic stroke patients during hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS: Old age, severe neurological disability, being unmarried, low hemoglobin, and history of diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease were risk factors for pressure sores in acute ischemic stroke patients.