Building a model for predicting and assessing the risk of developing pressure sores in low-mobility geriatric patients

Abstract

Background. It has been established that senile xerosis or “fragility” of the skin occurs in 75 % of the population over 65 years of age, when pathological skin dryness leads to peeling, the formation of microcracks, the appearance of senile itching, sleep disorders, the development of pressure sores and, as a result, decreased physical activity. According to the British authors, bedsores are formed in 15–20 % of patients in medical and preventive care facilities. Adequate prevention of pressure sores prevents their development in patients at risk in more than 80 % of cases, which allows not only to reduce the financial costs of bedsores treatment, but also to improve the patient’s quality of life. The risk assessment of the pressure sores development, as a rule, requires expert clinical opinions from qualified medical professionals with experience in managing patients at risk of pressure sores development. An alternative is to use specially designed assessment scales.