Understanding recurrent pressure injuries: A scoping review of current research and risk factors

Aim

To describe published studies on the current status of recurrent pressure injuries.

Background

Pressure injuries burden patients and the health care system, so it is essential to prevent their recurrence and prevent patients from experiencing secondary injury. However, most current studies focus on primary pressure injury and less on its recurrence.

Design and methods

We employed a scoping review methodology. From the database construction until December 9, 2024, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. Two researchers independently screened and extracted data.

Results

Twenty-eight articles met our criteria, most published after 2000. The included studies showed that 13 articles dealt with the definition of recurrent pressure injuries, but no uniform standard has been formed yet. The incidence of recurrent pressure injuries is 5.4 %–73.6 %. The most commonly reported site of recurrence is the ischium. The high-risk population for recurrence is the patient with spinal cord injury. Eleven studies described 26 risk factors for recurrent pressure injuries, of which albumin was the most commonly reported risk factor, followed by spinal cord injuries, age, hospital stay, and ulcer size. The 26 risk factors were summarised into five aspects: personal factors, social-environmental factors, disease-related factors, physiological and biochemical parameters, and Initial ulcer characteristics.

Conclusions

The incidence of recurrent pressure injuries varies widely, and specific definitions and standardised staging criteria must be further determined to improve clinical judgment and reporting accuracy. The risk factors for recurrent pressure injuries involve many aspects. Some studies have described local flaps and overall recurrence risk factors separately, and further verification is needed to determine whether there is a difference between the two.