[Prevalence of chronic wounds in a county in the province of Barcelona (Spain)]. / Prevalencia de la heridas crónicas en una comarca de la provincia de Barcelona.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of chronic wounds in patients in a specific region and their distribution according to health resources. To classify wound typologies and the treatment provided. To examine the use of risk assessment scales and preventive measures. METHOD: A cross sectional study was performed between June 2 and 8, 2004 that included all the health centers of the distinct health areas of Osona County (Barcelona), with a population of 128,309 persons aged more than 14 years. Data were collected on patients diagnosed with chronic wounds and on the characteristics of these wounds. RESULTS: We studied 251 patients with a mean age of 77.5 years. A total of 377 chronic wounds were identified and there were 168 pressure ulcers. The prevalence of chronic wounds was 0.29% and that of pressure ulcers was 0.13%. The proportion of patients with lower limb ulcers was significantly higher in primary care than in acute and geriatric care (p<0.005). The proportion of patients with pressure ulcers was higher in acute and geriatric care than in primary care (p<0.005). Preventive scales were applied in 81 patients (92%) with pressure ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Applying the concept of chronic wound was useful in identifying the high prevalence of lower limb ulcers. The distribution of wounds varied according to the health resources available.

Prevalencia de la heridas crónicas en una comarca de la provincia de Barcelona / Prevalence of chronic wounds in a county in the province of Barcelona (Spain)

Objetivos. Conocer la prevalencia de pacientes con heridas crónicas en una comarca y su distribución según el tipo de recursos asistenciales. Clasificar la tipología de dichas heridas y la terapéutica utilizada. Revisar la utilización del uso de las escalas de valoración de riesgo y las medidas de prevención. Método. Se presenta un estudio transversal, realizado entre el 2 y el 8 de junio de 2004, que comprende a todos los centros de los diferentes ámbitos asistenciales sanitarios de la comarca de Osona (Barcelona), con una población de mayores de 14 años de 128.309. Se recogió información acerca de los pacientes diagnosticados de heridas crónicas y las características de éstas. Resultados. Se estudiaron 251 pacientes con una edad media de 77,5 años. Se identificaron 377 heridas crónicas, concretamente 168 úlceras por presión. La prevalencia de las heridas crónicas fue de 0,29% y de las úlceras por presión de 0,13%. La proporción de pacientes atendidos de úlceras de extremidades inferiores en atención primaria era significativamente superior a la de los atendidos en los centros de agudos y sociosanitarios (p<0,005). La proporción de los atendidos en los centros sociosanitarios y de agudos, por úlceras por presión, era superior a la de los atendidos en atención primaria (p<0,005). Se aplicaron escalas de prevención a 81 (92%) de los pacientes que presentaron úlceras por presión. Conclusiones. La utilización del concepto de herida crónica evidencia una alta prevalencia de úlceras en extremidades inferiores, observándose una distribución diferente de ellas según los recursos asistenciales (AU)

Objectives. To determine the prevalence of chronic wounds in patients in a specific region and their distribution according to health resources. To classify wound typologies and the treatment provided. To examine the use of risk assessment scales and preventive measures. Method. A cross sectional study was performed between June 2 and 8, 2004 that included all the health centers of the distinct health areas of Osona County (Barcelona), with a population of 128,309 persons aged more than 14 years. Data were collected on patients diagnosed with chronic wounds and on the characteristics of these wounds. Results. We studied 251 patients with a mean age of 77.5 years. A total of 377 chronic wounds were identified and there were 168 pressure ulcers. The prevalence of chronic wounds was 0.29% and that of pressure ulcers was 0.13%. The proportion of patients with lower limb ulcers was significantly higher in primary care than in acute and geriatric care (p<0.005). The proportion of patients with pressure ulcers was higher in acute and geriatric care than in primary care (p<0.005). Preventive scales were applied in 81 patients (92%) with pressure ulcers. Conclusions. Applying the concept of chronic wound was useful in identifying the high prevalence of lower limb ulcers. The distribution of wounds varied according to the health resources available (AU)