Dysphagia, Immobility, and Diet Acceptance: Main Factors Associated with Increased Risk of Pressure Injury in Patients Hospitalized after Stroke.

Objective: To determine the predisposing factors for PI in patients hospitalized after stroke.

Methods: This 7-day longitudinal study followed up with patients hospitalized after stroke. Assessments included mobility, nutrition, and the presence of dysphagia and anemia. The nutrition evaluation was based on anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary determinants. Pressure injury (PI) risk was assessed via the Braden Scale. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied.

Results: Patients who were bedridden showed a greater risk of PI development upon admission (P = .004) and 7 days later (P < .001) compared with patients who could ambulate. Patients who were not dysphagic presented a lower risk of PI development in relation to patients who were dysphagic on admission (P = .047) and 7 days later (P < .001). On admission, patients with good and average diet acceptance had a lower PI risk (P = .002; P = .034) compared with those with a low acceptance. Body mass index was lower in patients at a high risk of developing PI compared with those at moderate risk (P = .02). Hemoglobin and hematocrit were statistically lower among patients who were at high risk of PI compared with patients who were low risk.

Conclusions: Predisposing factors such as immobility, dysphagia, low diet acceptance, nutrition risk, and anemia are associated with a greater risk of PI development.