Maida V, Corbo M, Dolzhykov M, Ennis M, Irani S, Trozzolo L, et al.
International wound journal. Date of publication 2008 Jun 1;volume 5(2):305-14.
1. Int Wound J. 2008 Jun;5(2):305-14. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2007.00379.x.
Wounds in advanced illness: a prevalence and incidence study based on a
prospective case series.
Maida V(1), Corbo M, Dolzhykov M, Ennis M, Irani S, Trozzolo L.
Author information:
(1)Division of Palliative Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
vincent.maida@utoronto.ca
A prospective observational sequential case series was studied in order to
ascertain an accurate inventory of the various wound types, their point
prevalence and incidence rates and their anatomic locations in patients with
advanced illness. Five hundred and ninety-three patients were serially assessed
until their deaths. Forty-three individual wound types were identified and
grouped into nine distinct classes. Data were stratified between patients
suffering from malignant and non malignant disorders. One thousand and thirty-six
individual wounds (average 1.8 wounds per patient) were identified at baseline.
Eight hundred and ninety-one individual wounds (average 1.5 wounds per patient)
were identified between baseline and their date of death. Pressure ulcers
constituted the most commonly occurring wound class affecting more than 50% of
all patients. Malignant wounds were observed only in cancer patients. Baseline
point prevalence for pressure ulcers, traumatic wounds, venous ulcers and
arterial ulcers in non cancer patients exceeded that in cancer patients. At
baseline, iatrogenic wounds were more prevalent in cancer patients than in non
cancer patients. Incidence rates for pressure ulcers, traumatic wounds, diabetic
ulcers, arterial ulcers and ostomies in non cancer patients exceeded those in
cancer patients. The broad range of wounds along with high rates of prevalence
and incidence, identified in this study, reflects that wounds represent a
significant management issue for patients with advanced illness. Therefore, there
exists a need for advancement in modalities and measures aimed at risk
assessment, prevention and appropriate goal-oriented management.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2007.00379.x
PMID: 18494636 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
