Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Observational Study
. 2020 Jun;17(3):641-649.
doi: 10.1111/iwj.13317. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

Incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in cancer patients admitted to hospice: A multicentre prospective cohort study

Tina Bull Tafteberg Jakobsen  1 , Cristina Pittureri  1 , Patrizia Seganti  1 , Elena Borissova  1 , Isabella Balzani  2 , Samanta Fabbri  2 , Piero Amati  3 , Sara Donigaglia  3 , Silvia Gallina  3 , Elisabetta Fabbri  4
Affiliations
Observational Study

Incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in cancer patients admitted to hospice: A multicentre prospective cohort study

Tina Bull Tafteberg Jakobsen et al. Int Wound J. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Pressure ulcers lead to discomfort for patients and may have an important impact on a patient's quality of life. Measure the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in a Hospice environment; evaluate the risk factors associated with pressure ulcers; and calculate the incidence of Kennedy Terminal Pressure Ulcers. This multicentre prospective cohort study enrolled 440 cancer patients in advanced phase, consecutively admitted to five hospices of the AUSL della Romagna (Italy), during a period of 1 year. Five hundred more patients were excluded from the study because of inability to sign the consent form or refusal to participate. All patients were adults above 18 years of age. The National Pressure Advisory Panel Classification System was used to evaluate the pressure ulcers. Potential risk predictors were evaluated through the Braden Scale, the Numerical Scale, and the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale. Starting in September 2016, 214 (48.6%) females and 226 (51.4%) males were analysed. The incidence of pressure ulcers in the total population was 17.3%. The risk factors that influence the development of pressure ulcers were age, proximity to death, and duration of stay in Hospice. The incidence of Kennedy Terminal Pressure Ulcers was 2.7%. This study demonstrates that 17.3% of all patients admitted to a hospice setting developed a pressure ulcer. The longer the patients stay in hospice and the clinical condition deteriorates, the higher the risk of developing a pressure ulcer.

Keywords: Kennedy terminal ulcer; cancer patients in advanced phase; hospice setting; incidence; pressure ulcer.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The author/s declare/s that there is no conflict of interest. No competing financial interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Location of pressure ulcers developed during the stay
Figure 2
Figure 2
Categories of pressure ulcers developed during the stay
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Alvarez OM, Kalinski C, Nusbaum J, et al. Incorporating wound healing strategies to improve palliation (symptom management) in patients with chronic wounds. J Palliat Med. 2007. Oct;10(5):1161‐1189. - PubMed
    1. World Health Organization (WHO) . www.who.int/cancer/palliative/definition/en/. Accessed February 14, 2019.
    1. Cartabelotta A, Peghetti A. Linea guida per la prevenzione e trattamento delle lesioni da pressione nelle cure primarie e in ospedale. Evidence open access journal published by the GIMBE Foundation. Giugnio. 2014;6(5):p1‐p5.
    1. Langemo DK, Black J. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. Pressure ulcers in individuals receiving palliative care: a National Pressure Advisory Panel White Paper. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2010;23(2):59‐70. - PubMed
    1. Langemo DK. General principles and approaches to wound prevention and care at end of life: an overview. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2012;58(5):24 ‐6, 28, 30. - PubMed

Publication types