Biophysical skin properties of grade 1 pressure ulcers and unaffected skin in spinal cord injured and able-bodied persons in the unloaded sacral region. Issue 2 (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scheel-Sailer, Anke; Frotzler, Angela; Mueller, Gabi; Annaheim, Simon; Rossi, René Michel; Derler, Siegfried
• Is Part Of: Journal of tissue viability. Volume 26:Issue 2(2017:May)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Skin physiology -- Skin redness -- Skin hydration -- Skin elasticity -- Skin perfusion; Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Ulcers -- Periodicals; Bedsores -- Periodicals; Bedsores; Ulcers; Wounds and injuries; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.1406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2016.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-206X

Abstract

Abstract: Aim of the study: To examine biophysical skin properties in the sacral region in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients suffering from a grade 1 pressure ulcer (PU) defined as non-blanchable erythema (SCI/PU), SCI patients in the post-acute phase (SCI/PA) and able-bodied participants (CON). Also, for SCI/PU patients, both the affected skin and healthy skin close to the PU were examined. Study design: An experimental controlled study with a convenience sample. Setting: A Swiss acute care and rehabilitation clinic specializing in SCIs. Materials and methods: We determined hydration, redness, elasticity and perfusion of the unloaded skin in the sacral region of 6 SCI/PU patients (affected and healthy skin), 20 SCI/PA patients and 10 able-bodied controls. These measures were made by two trained examiners after the patients were lying in the supine position. Results: The affected skin of SCI/PU patients showed elevated redness: median 595.5 arbitrary units (AU) (quartiles 440.4; 631.6) and perfusion: 263.0 AU (104.1; 659.4), both significantly increased compared to the healthy skin in SCI/PA patients and CON ( p < 0.001). Similarly, healthy skin of SCI/PA patients showed elevated redness ( p = 0.016) and perfusion ( p < 0.001) compared to CON. On the other hand, differences in redness and perfusion between the affected and unaffected skin in SCI/PU patients were not significant. The results for skin hydration and skin elasticity were similar in all groups. Conclusions: Skin perfusion and redness were significantly increased in grade 1 PUs and for healthy skin in both SCI/PA patients and CON participants; thus, these are important in understanding the pathophysiology of PUs and skin in SCI. Highlights: Biophysical skin properties in the sacral region are different in spinal cord injury patients. Skin perfusion and redness were significantly increased over superficial pressure ulcer. Redness for healthy skin of SCI patients with pressure ulcer was significantly elevated. Skin redness in SCI patients without pressure ulcer was also significantly elevated. The results for skin hydration and skin elasticity did not show any significant differences.