1st National Study on Pressure Ulcer Prevalence in Spain. Epidemiology and defining factors for lesions and patients
Joan-Enric Torra i Bou, Justo Rueda López, J. Javier Soldevilla Agreda, Fernando Martínez Cuervo, José Verdú Soriano

SUMMARY

  The design of policies of a health or social nature must be based on an epidemiological understanding of the problem. This was the objective of the First National Study on Pressure Ulcer Prevalence in Spain, which was organised by GNEAUPP and UIFC from Terrasa's Consorci Sanitari. A previously validated postal questionnaire was sent to 2,000 health professionals linked to GNEAUPP from all Spanish regions. The response rate was 22.9% and information about 941 patients with PU and 1,739 wounds was obtained. Regarding Primary Care, the more interesting results revealed by the information from the questionnaires were mean UP prevalences of 8.34% for patients receiving home care, 0.54% for patients older than 65, and 0.11 % for patients above 14. As far as inpatient care was concerned, prevalence was 8.81 % (with a minimum value of 0% and a maximum of 45.45%) and at a social?bealth level, 7.6%. These results suggest that PUs are a significant problem, affecting every level of health care and requiring urgent action which should be coordinated across different areas in Spain.

KEY WORDS

Pressure ulcers, prevalence study, Spain.

Vol. 14 nº1-2003