Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP (Apr 2021)

Prevalence of skin tears in hospitalized adults and older adults

  • Luccas Melo de Souza,
  • Gabriela da Silva Teixeira,
  • Débora Monteiro da Silva,
  • Letícia da Silva Ruiz,
  • Isabella dos Santos Coppola,
  • Lisiani Celina da Silva Meirelles

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2019025103683
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 55

Abstract

Read online Read online

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the prevalence, related factors and to classify Skin Tears in hospitalized adults and older adults. Method: Prevalence study with adults and older adults in inpatient and intensive care units of a hospital in the South Region of Brazil. The STAR Skin Tear Classification System was used to analyze the lesions. Data were collected by physical examination and consultation of medical records. The Poisson Regression Prevalence Ratio with robust variance was calculated. Results: The participants were 148 patients. There were 29 Skin Tears (mean 1.6 ± 0.7) in 18 individuals (prevalence of 12.2%). The variables age, friable skin, enteral feeding catheter, degree of dependence, use of antihypertensives, micronutrients, diuretics, antidepressants, and antifungals were associated with lesions in the bivariate analysis. In the final multivariate model, antihypertensives PR 2.42 (95%CI 1.01-5.77), antidepressants PR 2.72 (95%CI 1.1-6.33) and micronutrients PR 4.93 (95%CI 1.64-14.80) maintained a relationship. Conclusion: The prevalence of injuries was 12.2%, showing they are present in the health care setting, especially in nursing care. Care protocols need to be developed for the prevention, identification and early treatment of ST.

Keywords