Risk factors in the development of pressure ulcers in an intensive care unit in Pontianak, Indonesia

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the presence of pressure ulcer development in adult patients at an intensive care unit hospital in Indonesia. The prospective cohort design was conducted in this study. A total of 105 patients participated and a pressure ulcer developed in 35 patients. The initial analysis identified several variables as significant risk factors for pressure ulcer development (interface pressure, fecal incontinence, skin moisture, diastolic blood pressure, smoking and body temperature). However, when entered into a final multivariate analysis, four factors, interface pressure [odds ratio (OR) 17.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.1, 74.3], skin moisture (OR 8.2, 95% CI 2.2, 30.9), smoking (12.7, 95% CI 2.8, 56.7) and body temperature (OR 102.0, 95% CI 7.7, 98.8) were found to be significant. The results suggest that interface pressure measured using a multipad pressure evaluator, skin moisture measured by a moisture checker, thermometer for body temperature and smoking status are adequate instruments for the prediction of pressure ulcer development.