Abstract

SOLDEVILLA AGREDA, J. Javier et al. 2^nd National Study of Pressure Ulcer Prevalence in Spain, 2005: Epidemiology and definitory wound and patient variables. Gerokomos [online]. 2006, vol.17, n.3, pp.154-172. ISSN 1134-928X.

Since 1999, GNEAUPP considered it vital to create a permanent observatory of the epidemiological evolution of these processes, in order to rescue and maintain the real value of the problem of Pressure Ulcers, which has given way to the next step, the 2^nd National Prevalence Study we now present. The objectives set forth in this study were to obtain epidemiological indicators that would allow us to find the extent of the pressure ulcer problem in Spain, as well as some aspects related to the prevention of such in primary care centers, hospitals and socio-sanitary institutions. We sent out a questionnaire in order to estimate the punctual and average prevalence of PU (initials UPP in Spanish) using non-random sampling. Primary Care professionals were asked to give information about their patients who were over 14 years of age (General Practitioner Surgeries) and professionals from Hospital Units and socio-sanitary centers were asked about their patients respectively. Prevalence was defined as ‘punctual prevalence' (information in a specific moment in time). The crude prevalence (initials PC in Spanish) and average prevalence (PM) were calculated. The questionnaires only included questions on patients with PU (numerator of the indicator) over the total of patients of the unit being studied (denominator of the indicator) about the wounds caused as well as information on PU prevention in the institutions where each respondant worked. 1,791 patients were reported to have pressure ulcers (39% in hospital, 27% in primary care centers and 34% in socio-sanitary centers). In Primary Care, the PC was 3.73% and the PM was 9.11% ± 10.9% for patients over 14 years who were included in the home care program. In the hospital units, the PC was 8.24% and the PM was 8.91% ± 12.20% and in the socio-sanitary centers, the PC was 6.10% and the PM was 10.9% ± 11.9%. The group most affected of each health care level was the one over 65 years of age (84.7%). The completed questionnaires provided information about 2,837 wounds: 23.2% were stage I, 37.5% stage II, 27.0% stage III, 11.8% stage IV and 0.5% did not state the stage. PU most frequently affected the sacral region, followed by the heels, in all health care levels. It can be concluded that PU are still an important public health problem that affect mainly elderly people.

Keywords : Pressure ulcers; epidemiology; prevalence; Spain.

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