PREVALENCE OF SKIN TEARS IN INSTITUTIONALIZED OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of skin tears and associated risk factors in institutionalized older adults. Method: cross-sectional and analytical study, conducted with 54 older adults from a longterm care institution in Teresina, Piauí, through interviews, physical examinations and medical records. Data were collected between August and September 2017. Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed, with student’s t-test applied to observe the difference of the means and the Odds Ratios in the association between the outcome and the independent variables. Results: mean age was 77.4 years, 63.0% men, 77.8% illiterate, 88.9% with comorbidities and 55.6% dependent for activities of daily living. The prevalence of lesions was 20.4%, mostly located in the lower limbs and of category 3, not statistically associated with any risk factor. Conclusion: there was a high prevalence of skin tears. It should be highlighted that these data help in the knowledge of the epidemiology of these injuries and in the planning of preventive measures.

Keywords

• older adult
• wounds and injuries
• friction
• institutionalization
• prevalence