Abstract:
This study was descriptive research aiming to study and explain the risk factors
associated with the severity of pressure ulcers and the predictive risk factors of
pressure ulcers severity in patients with stroke.
The sample were 90 stroke patients with pressure ulcers had been who
admitted to medical wards at Siriraj Hospital and stroke patients who were living in 88
communities in 3 districts surrounding Siriraj Hospital: Bangkok Noi, Thonburi and
Pasicharoen. Data were collected through assessment and an interview process using
an instrument that had 7 sections: general characteristics of the subjects, Skin
Assessment Tool, The Braden’s Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Scale, The Canadian
Neurological Scale (CNS), The Barthel ADL Index Scale, Social Support
Questionnaire (SSQ), and Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS). The data were
analyzed using percentage, means, standard deviations, Chi-square test, and multiple
Logistic Regression technique.
The results revealed that two risk factors were significantly associated with the
severity of pressure ulcers in stroke patients, physical risk factors (λ2 = 10.858, p <
.01) and depression (λ2 = 9.908, p < .05), while two of these risk factors, physical
function (λ2 = .629, p > .05) and social support (λ2 = 1.059, p > .05), had no
association with the severity of pressure ulcers in stroke patients. Multiple Logistic
Regression analysis was applied to calculate odds ratio. The significant risk factors
were physical risk factor (OR=2.671, 95%CI=1.207-5.913) and depression
(OR=2.157, 95%CI=1.032-4.511), in relation to the severity of pressure ulcers. For
physical function and social support, no significance was found by the predictive
model.
The study results demonstrated the risk factors associated with severity of
pressure ulcers in patients with stroke were physical risk factor and depression. Thus,
in order to prevent pressure ulcers in patients with stroke, healthcare providers should
be trained to assess both physical risk factor and depression for early detection.
Counseling programs and support programs for patients with stroke and caregivers are
needed.