Bedsores (pressure ulcers)
Pressure ulcers are also known as bedsores or pressure sores. Individuals with reduced mobility, immobility or sensory impairment are particularly vulnerable. Dehydration has been shown to produce a two-fold increase in the risk of pressure ulcers.(i) The National Institute for Clinical Excellence(ii) has identified inadequate fluid intake as one of the risk factor in the development of pressure ulcers. Lack of fluid intake may lead to dehydration resulting in a loss of padding over bony points and hence increased susceptibility to ulcer formation. Stotts and Hopf(iii) found that some nursing home residents with pressure ulcers had low subcutaneous oxygen which could impair ulcer healing. The results of the pilot study suggested that fluid administration to correct impaired hydration increases levels of tissue oxygen and enhances ulcer healing.
Last updated: November 2004
(i) Casimiro C, Garcia-de-Lorenzo A, Usan L. Prevalence of decubitus ulcer and associated risk factors in an institutionalzed Spanish elderly population. Nutrition 2002;18:408-414
(ii) National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Pressure ulcer risk assessment and prevention. Inherited Clinical Guideline B. London April 2001
(iii) Stotts NA, Hopf HW. The link between tissue oxygen and hydration in nursing home residents with pressure ulcers: preliminary data. Journal of Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing 2003;30:184-90
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