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Abstract
Frequency distribution matched controlled study investigating whether the administration of multi-vitamin and mineral supplementation produces measurable improvement in the healing of grade 1, 2, and 3 pressure sores, while implementing consistent, evidence-based, vigorous local wound management as well as correcting general health factors that can delay wound healing.
In the process of recruiting 40 elderly patients for the study population, a total of 218 elderly patients found to have pressure sores, were assessed and managed. Twenty control patients (group II) were sought and matched to the twenty case patients (group I) by frequency of age range, gender, smoking status, ulcer site, ulcer staging, and Braden Scale score at initial assessment.
The study was unable to show that multi-vitamin and mineral supplementation has an effect on the healing of pressure sores. However the study was useful in that it challenges the empirical use of multivitamin and mineral supplementation. The study suggests that with limited resources, the practice of empirical administration of multivitamin and mineral supplementation to patients suffering from pressure sores should be avoided, unless vitamin or mineral deficiency is evident.
The Braden risk assessment scale helped the research team to continue with interventions to prevent the development of more sores. Thus its routine use on all acutely ill elderly patients, and elderly patients suffering from reduced mobility is highly recommended.
The Pressure Sore Status Tool (PSST) proved very useful in documenting the characteristics of pressure sores for comparison between different sores as well as documenting changes, whether healing or deterioration, of the same sore over time. Moreover, the thirteen items of the tool allow the user to focus on all the important local aspects of a pressure sore. It is therefore recommended that this tool is used in the clinical field and not only for research purposes.
The study also lends to many recommendations regarding further research of this much neglected ailment.