Factors affecting the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in COVID‐19 patients admitted with a Braden scale below 14 in the intensive care unit: Retrospective cohort study

The pandemic of coronavirus (COVID‐19) has significantly increased the admission of patients with extensive complications, especially for respiratory support, to intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide. These patients also suffer from pressure ulcers (PUs) as another complication that occurs due to increased length of hospitalisation and acute conditions of patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of PU and the factors affecting it in COVID‐19 patients admitted to ICUs. This cohort retrospective study used registry data in Imam Reza Hospital located in west of Iran. Four hundred and forty‐five COVID‐19 patients older than 20 years hospitalised in corona ICUs from 20 March 2020 to 30 December 2020, with a Braden score of less than 14 were included in the study. To investigate the relationship between variables in rate prevalence, univariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio, and for incidence rate in estimating PU risk generated in ICUs, hazard ratio was calculated using cox regression. One hundred and eighty‐three (41.12%) patients were male. The mean age of patients was 63 (SD = ±9.78) years. A total of 1152 cases of PU were generated, with the highest prevalence of PU with 234 cases in the sacrum. One hundred and seventy‐six (55.87%) patients underwent non‐invasive ventilation ulcers. The prevalence of PU was 79.7%. The highest prevalence was found in people over 80 years with 90.67%. The incidence ratio was 46.74%. The highest number of new cases was seen in diabetic patients with 60.96%. First‐degree ulcers were the most common degree of ulceration in 252 (55.38%) patients. Incidence and prevalence excluding first‐degree wounds were 24.04% and 49.66%, respectively. Age, Braden score, BMI, comorbidity, diabetes mellitus, stool incontinence, Glasgow coma scale, vasopressor, and length of hospital stay were significantly associated with PU (P < .05). The incidence and prevalence of PU in patients were high in this study. The length of hospitalisation and Braden score were the most important factors in the development of PU. The widespread prevalence of COVID‐19 and the relatively long stay of patients in the ICU created unfavourable conditions for patients and the treatment system, therefore, it emphasised the use of appropriate measures to prevent PU to avoid double costs and longer stays.