Risk Factors Associated with Skin Tear Development in the Canadian Long-term Care Population. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: LeBlanc, Kimberly; Woo, Kevin Y.; VanDenKerkhof, Elizabeth; Woodbury, M. Gail
• Is Part Of: Advances in skin & wound care. Volume 34:Number 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: aging -- frailty -- long-term care -- prevention -- risk factor -- skin tears; Wounds and injuries -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Wound healing -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- United States -- Periodicals; 617.106
• DOI: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000717232.03041.69
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1527-7941

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Skin tears (STs) are prevalent wounds found in aging populations and in particular among those living in long-term care (LTC) settings. They are often misunderstood as expected outcomes of aging and as a result are frequently underrecognized and undertreated. Although many factors have been associated with ST development, there is little evidence to corroborate their roles as ST risks. OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk factors associated with ST development in the Ontario LTC population. METHODS: A prospective study design was used to explore the risk factors associated with ST development. A total of 380 individuals 65 years or older from four LTC facilities in Ontario were examined for STs at the beginning of the study and at week 4 to determine if STs had occurred. RESULTS: The study found an ST prevalence of 20.8% and an incidence of 18.9%. History of an ST at baseline (relative ratio [RR], 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25–2.70; P = .002); the presence of skin changes associated with aging, ecchymosis, and hematomas (RR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.43–1.79; P < .001); chronic disease (RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.03–1.32; P = .018); requiring assistance with activities of daily living (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08–1.18; P < .001); and displaying aggressive behavior (RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02–1.10; P = .001) were key risk factors associated with ST development. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide much needed Ontario data on the risk factors associated with ST development and can be used to support prevention programs mitigating ST risk.