Abstract

Background: Our study aimed to identify factors associated with mortality in geriatric palliative care patients with pressure injuries (PI).

Methods: This prospective observational study included patients with PI whowere hospitalized in a palliative care unit. Demographic characteristics, chronic diseases, and number of diseases were recorded, and each patient was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). All patients were also staged according to the Braden scale, Norton scale, and European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.

Results: A total of 92 patients who were treated in the palliative care unit and had PI during the study period were evaluated. Their mean age was 74 years and 53.3% were male. Forty-two patients (45.7%) died during hospital follow-up, and 14 patients (15.2%) died within the first 30 days. In the adjusted Cox proportional hazard analysis, thrombocytopenia, anemia, elevated C-reactive protein, and elevated procalcitonin were significantly associated with increased mortality. Being single or widowed, having diabetes mellitus, and the presence of thrombocytopenia were found to be independent risk factors for mortality, while receiving antibiotic therapy was found to be a protective factor.

Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus, marital status and thrombocytopenia were identified as independent risk factors for mortality in patients hospitalized for PI in the palliative care unit.