Objectives:

To obtain updated epidemiological indicators for dependence-related skin lesions (DRSL) in Spanish Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, both global and adjusted. To analyse the demographic and clinical characteristics of people with DRSL and lesions. and the lesions.

Methodology:

Observational, cross-sectional, epidemiological survey-type study (6th National Prevalence Study), aimed at all PHC centres in Spain. Data collection by means of a secure on-line form. Variables: characteristics of primary care centres, total population, population over 65 years of age and population in home care programmes, patients with each type of DRSL, classification of lesions. We estimated the overall crude prevalence in the population and adjusted prevalence, in people over 65 years of age and in people in home care programmes.

Results:

Data were obtained from a population of 1,754,228 people cared for in Spanish PHC centres in 131 centres. The prevalence of DRSL in persons in patients attended in home care programmes (HCP) was 5.82%. Only 7.7% of the centres reported not having any persons with DRSL in care at the time of data collection. The prevalence almost doubles in rural (7.1%) and mixed (6.0%) centres compared to urban centres (3.9%). Injuries originated in the patient’s own home in 79.8% of cases, and only 18.7% originated during the patient’s admission to an institution. The profile is that of an 83-year-old woman with mixed incontinence and using a static mattress surface.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of primary care DRSL in Spain remains similar to previous studies, with great variability depending on the location of the centre. Four out of 5 lesions develop in the patient’s home

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