Deprez J, Kottner J, Eilegård Wallin A, Bååth C, Hommel A, Hultin L, Josefson A, Beeckman D, et al.
Journal of tissue viability. Date of publication 2025 Sep 3;volume 34(4):100952.
1. J Tissue Viability. 2025 Sep 3;34(4):100952. doi: 10.1016/j.jtv.2025.100952.
Online ahead of print.
Prognostic factors for incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD): Results of an
international expert survey.
Deprez J(1), Kottner J(2), Eilegård Wallin A(3), Bååth C(4), Hommel A(5), Hultin
L(6), Josefson A(7), Beeckman D(8).
Author information:
(1)Swedish Centre for Skin and Wound Research (SCENTR), School of Health
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden;
Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and
Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and
Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address:
https://twitter.com/JulieHDeprez.
(2)Institute of Clinical Nursing Science, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin,
Germany.
(3)Swedish Centre for Skin and Wound Research (SCENTR), School of Health
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
(4)Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology,
Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; Faculty of Health, Welfare and
Organisation, Østfold University College, Halden, Norway.
(5)Department of Care Science, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
(6)Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala,
Sweden.
(7)School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro
University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Dermatology, Örebro University
Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
(8)Swedish Centre for Skin and Wound Research (SCENTR), School of Health
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden;
Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and
Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and
Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
BACKGROUND: Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a prevalent and
distressing form of irritant contact dermatitis caused by prolonged exposure to
urine and/or faeces. Not all incontinent individuals develop IAD, suggesting
that additional prognostic factors contribute to its onset. The quality of
empirical evidence supporting risk factors for IAD development is moderate to
very low. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically compile and analyse
expert knowledge on this topic.
AIM: This study aimed to identify and prioritise key prognostic factors for IAD
development through an international expert consultation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional expert survey was conducted among
international experts using an electronic survey platform. Participants rated
the importance of 26 pre-identified prognostic factors, ranked relevant factors
and suggested additional factors. Data were analysed to determine expert
consensus and factor rankings.
RESULTS: A total of 45 experts participated, with a response rate of 39 %. The
highest-ranked prognostic factors included double incontinence, faecal
incontinence, loose stools, stool frequency, urinary incontinence, and impaired
mobility. Other important factors were advanced age, friction and shear forces,
cognitive impairment, and poor nutrition. In addition, experts highlighted
systemic factors such as caregiver knowledge gaps and staff shortages as
potential contributors to IAD risk.
CONCLUSION: Study results support established risk factors for IAD development
such as stool frequency and limited mobility. Experts also identified factors,
such as higher age and the presence of loose or liquid stool, that are
considered relevant by experts but are not yet fully supported by empirical
evidence. Findings will inform a future large-scale cohort study.
Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2025.100952
PMID: 40915075
Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of competing interest The authors
declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal
relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this
paper.
