Low biochemical nutritional parameters in acutely ill hospitalized elderly patients with and without stage III to IV pressure ulcers

Background and aims: Pressure ulcers are associated with impaired nutritional status in acutely ill elderly patients. The objective of this study was to establish whether a difference exists between biochemical nutritional parameters in acutely ill elderly with stage III to IV pressure ulcers and a group of acutely ill elderly with no pressure ulcers. Methods: In a retrospective study we compared 8 biochemical nutritional markers in a group of 22 acutely ill elderly patients consecutively admitted to the geriatric ward who had stage III to IV pressure ulcers (PU group) in addition to their acute illness with a control group of 40 acutely ill elderly patients with no pressure ulcers (NPU group). Results: The PU group compared with the NPU group had significantly lower (p<0.0001) values of albumin, transferrin, hemoglobin, cholesterol, iron, and zinc (p<0.0059). Total lymphocyte count was slightly, but not significantly lower in the PU group. In contrast, C-Reactive Protein levels were significantly higher (p<0.0001) in the PU group compared with the NPU group, indicating a more severe illness in the presence of additional pressure ulcers. Conclusions: In this study, serum levels of biochemical nutritional parameters in acutely ill elderly patients with stage III to IV pressure ulcers are lower than those of acutely ill elderly subjects with no pressure ulcers, indicating a worse nutritional status of the PU patients. These findings, while not documenting a causal relationship, suggest the need for routine nutritional assessment and support in older patients, especially those with pressure ulcers. © 2002, Editrice Kurtis.