The effectiveness of drugs combined with individualized management for elderly patients with stage III pressure ulcers

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Nov;21(11):5984-5989. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15312. Epub 2022 Sep 20.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effect of drugs in combination with individualized management for elderly patients with stage III pressure ulcers.

Methods: Sixty patients with stage III pressure sores at our hospital from August 2017 to December 2019 were selected as research subjects. The patients were equally divided between the study group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30) by the random number table method. All enrolled patients received drug treatment, silver ion alginate and hydrocolloid and foam dressings once every 3 days, according to the patient's wound condition to shorten the healing time. After necrotic tissue and wounds were washed with normal saline, a silver ion alginate dressing was applied and the dressing was changed once a day. The study group had individualized management based on the above drug treatment as well as exercise, nutrition, and psychological management. The pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH) score and changes in the pressure ulcer area were compared between the two groups before treatment, at 1, 3, and 5 weeks of treatment. The wound healing rate was then calculated.

Results: With the progress of treatment time, the PUSH scores and pressure ulcer areas in both groups showed a significantly decreasing trend, and the wound healing rate was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The study group's PUSH scores and pressure ulcer areas were significantly lower when compared with the control group (p < 0.05) after one, three, and 5 weeks of treatment. The wound healing rate of the study group at three and 5 weeks was significantly faster than the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Based on drug therapy (silver ion alginate, hydrocolloid dressing, and foam dressing) combined with individualized exercise, nutrition, and psychological management, older patients with stage III pressure ulcers had improved therapeutic wound healing.

Keywords: clinical curative effect; drug therapy; individual management; pressure ulcers.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alginates / therapeutic use
  • Bandages, Hydrocolloid*
  • Humans
  • Pressure Ulcer* / drug therapy
  • Silver
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Silver
  • Alginates