Pressure Ulcer Risk Factors in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Age of the patient

• relatively inactive?

• immobilized for long periods?

• have a severe spinal cord injury with paralysis?

• incontinent for urine?

• incontinent for feces?

• have autonomic dysreflexia and/or severe spasiticity?

• have pulmonary disease?

• have cardiac disease?

• have diabetes with poor glycemic control?

• have renal disease?

• have impaired cognitive function?

• have peripheral vascular disease?

• have a decreased serum albumin?

• malnourished?

• anemic?

• either cachectic or morbidly obese?

• edematous?

• noncompliant with pressure ulcer prevention?

• uncooperative?

• have a low self-esteem?

• receive sedatives or tranquilizers?

• receive steroids or anti-inflammatory agents?

• have a history of a previous pressure ulcer?

• smoke?

• have friction or shearing of skin surfaces?

• impoverished?

• have a poor level of hygiene?

• reside in a nursing home or hospital?

• abuse alcohol or drugs?