Incidence of Community-Acquired Pressure Injuries and Factors Influencing Their Frequent Occurrence Among Community-Dwelling Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the incidence of community-acquired pressure injuries (PIs) and factors influencing their frequent occurrence (ie, 2 or more PIs after discharge) among community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury in China.

Methods: This retrospective study included a convenience sample of 302 community-dwelling individuals with either traumatic or nontraumatic spinal cord injury. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors influencing the frequent occurrence of community-acquired PI (CAPI).

Results: Of the sample, 34.11% had a CAPI. Independent risk factors for CAPI included complete spinal cord injury, >2 years duration since injury, low serum albumin or total protein levels before discharge, high fasting blood glucose before discharge, and the occurrence of PI during hospitalization. Independent protective factors for CAPI included having at least a senior middle school education, reporting often or always alleviating local skin pressure when sitting, and average duration of each skin pressure relief exceeding 15 seconds when sitting.

Conclusions: The incidence of CAPI among individuals with spinal cord injury in China was high. It is vital that health care professionals evaluate CAPI risk for CAPI community-dwelling individuals, determine patients' skin self-management level, and provide long-term follow-up and care after discharge.