Spinal Cord Injury

SCI: Pressure Ulcers (2003)

• Assessment
  What is the role of nutritional status and nutrition care in the prevention of pressure ulcers in SCI? [SCI 2003)

  • Conclusion

    To prevent the development or reoccurrence of pressure ulcers, persons with spinal cord injury should have regular assessment of nutritional status with attention to risk factors associated with the development of pressure ulcers including weight status, adequacy of energy, protein, vitamin and mineral intake and laboratory values (prealbumin, total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, transferrin, and total lymphocyte count). Appropriate nutrition intervention should be initiated to achieve and maintain an optimal nutritional state.

  • Grade: II
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: Nutritional Care for Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in SCI (2003)
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Byrne DW, Salzberg CA. Major risk factors for pressure ulcers in the spinal cord disabled: a literature review. Spinal Cord 1996:43:255-263.
      • Chin DE, Kearns P. Nutrition in the Spinal-Injured Patient. NCP. 1991; 6(6):213-222. 
      • Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines. Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Clinical Practice Guideline for Health-Care Professionals. J Spinal Cord Med 2001;24 Suppl 1:S40 - S101.
      • Fuoco U, Scivoletto G, Pace A, Vona VU, Castellano V. Anaemia and Serum Protein Alteration in Patients with Pressure Ulcers. Spinal Cord 1997; 35: 58-60.
      • Jackobs MK. The Cost of Medical Nutrition Therapy in Healing Pressure Ulcers. Top Clin Nutr 1999; 14(2): 41-47.
      • Liu MH, Spungen AM, Fink L, Lasoda M, Bauman WA. Increased energy needs in patients with quadriplegia and pressure ulcers. Advances in Wound Care 1996; 9(3):41-45.
      • Salzberg CA, Byrne DW, Cayten CG, van Niewerburgh P, Murphy JG, Viehbeck M. A New Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Scale for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 1996; 75(2): 96-104.