Relationship Between Perilesional Skin Condition and Survival in Terminally Ill Patients with Pressure Ulcers

Abstract

Background and Objectives: In the context of palliative care, the aim is to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life, with particular attention to PUs, which have a significant impact on quality of life and survival. This study examines the relationship between perilesional skin condition and survival in terminally ill patients with pressure ulcers (PUs). Materials and Methods: A descriptive and observational study was conducted in two hospitals in Valencia with a sample of 100 terminally ill patients. Sociodemographic, clinical and PPU-specific variables were assessed using validated scales such as FEDPALLA-II and the Barthel Index. Results: Although it is a study of an observational nature, which may preclude establishing causality, the results showed that functional capacity, perilesional tissue epithelialization, and albumin levels were significant predictors of survival, while the number and location of PUs had no direct impact. Perilesional tissue epithelialization was highlighted as a critical indicator reflecting the systemic stability of the patient. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to palliative care that addresses both the local aspects of the lesions and the patient’s systemic and functional status. These findings support the implementation of therapeutic interventions based on a structured perilesional tissue assessment to improve quality of life and prolong survival in terminally ill patients. In addition, a positive correlation was found between Barthel Score and survival, suggesting that patients with greater functional independence have a longer life expectancy. On the other hand, the negative correlation between total lymphocyte count and survival suggests that lymphocytopenia may be a marker of adaptive immunosuppression. Perilesional tissue epithelialization, overall functionality and serum albumin levels are key factors in predicting survival, highlighting the need for a comprehensive palliative care approach to optimize quality of life and prolong survival in terminally ill patients with PUs.

Keywords

• pressure ulcers
• palliative care
• survival
• epithelialization
• function
• albumin