Objective: To perform a literature review of the scales and instruments used to assess the risk of developing a pressure ulcer (RPU) in the adult and elderly population and to analyze whether these scales meet the criteria of validity and reliability. To determine whether a specific scale has been developed for use in the domiciliary care setting and adapted to the Spanish environment.
Method: We performed a descriptive study with a search of the CUIDEN, IME, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases between January 1990 and December 2005. A specifically-designed form was used to register the variables. Data extraction was performed by a single person. The key words used were pressure ulcer, decubitus ulcer, pressure sore, risk evaluation scales, validity, sensitivity, specificity and reliability and their equivalents in Spanish.
Results: Complete descriptions of 22 instruments and studies of the validity and/or reliability of 15 instruments were found.
Conclusions: At present, and based on the results of this review, the RPU scale that has shown the greatest validity and reliability is the Braden-Bergstrom scale.