Incidence and risk factors associated with pressure injury in patients with traumatic brain injury

Aim: To identify the prevalence of pressure injury in patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and analyse the risk factors involved during hospitalization.

Methods: This was a prospective study evaluating patients who were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury between November 2013 and September 2014. Patient characteristics, clinical and metabolic factors and therapeutic interventions, were evaluated within 30 days of hospital admission.

Results: Most of the 240 patients included in the study were male, young, and non-Caucasian. The incidence of pressure injury was 18.8%. In terms of severity classification, the incidence of pressure injury was 2.7%, 23.2%, and 42.6% in mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury, respectively. Pressure injury development was more likely in the first 10 days of hospitalization. A moderate or severe traumatic brain injury classification, the use of noradrenaline, and older age were pressure injury risk factors. The presence of pressure injury was associated with mortality within 30 days of hospitalization (P < .001).

Conclusion: The incidence of pressure injury was high in patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, especially in those whose injury was classified as severe. Older age, noradrenaline use, and a classification of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury were identified as pressure injury risk factors.