Pressure Ulcer: Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease)

Prolonged exposure to pressure, friction, shear forces, or a combination of these factors results in inadequate blood flow to the affected area. Consequences include:

  • Reduced blood flow to the tissue
  • Reperfusion injury
  • Disruption of lymphatic drainage

This leads to ulceration (ulceration), possibly the formation of necrosis (local tissue death).

Etiology (causes)

Biographic causes

  • Age – with increasing age, the risk is increased due to disease, lack of exercise, etc.

Behavioral causes

  • Nutrition
    • Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see Prevention with micronutrients.
  • Immobilization / lack of movement
  • Underweight (BMI < 18.5)

Disease-related favoring factors

Blood, hematopoietic organs – immune system (D50-D90).

  • Anemia (anemia)

Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90).

Skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99)

  • Existing skin defects
  • Keratolysis – dissolution of the cornea

Mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach and intestines (K00-K67; K90-K93).

  • Fecal incontinence

Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)

  • Restricted mobility, unspecified.

Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99).

  • Clouding of consciousness, unspecified
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Sensory disorders, unspecified
  • Perceptual disorders

Symptoms and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

  • Fever

Genitourinary system (kidneys, urinary tract – reproductive organs) (N00-N99)

  • Urinary incontinence

Other causes

  • Acute diseases, unspecified
  • General dystrophy
  • Chronic diseases, unspecified
  • Ill-fitting aids such as prostheses.

Medication