Prevalence and incidence of pressure injuries among older people living in nursing homes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pressure injuries are a fundamental safety concern in older people living in nursing homes. Recent studies report a disparate body of evidence on pressure injury prevalence and incidence in this population. To systematically quantify the prevalence and incidence of pressure injuries among older people living in nursing homes, and to identify the most frequently occurring PI stage(s) and anatomical location(s). Systematic review and meta-analysis. Nursing homes, aged care, or long-term care facilities. Older people, 60 years and older. Cross-sectional and cohort studies reporting on either prevalence or incidence of pressure injuries were included. Studies published in English from 2000 onwards were systematically searched in Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and ProQuest. Screening, data extraction and quality appraisal were undertaken independently by two or more authors and adjudicated by another. Outcomes included pressure injury point prevalence, cumulative incidence, and nursing home acquired pressure injury rate. In meta-analyses, the Cochrane Q test and I2 statistic were used to explore heterogeneity. Random effects models were used in the presence of substantial heterogeneity. Sources of heterogeneity were investigated by subgroup analyses and meta-regression. 3384 abstracts were screened, and 47 full-text studies included. In 30 studies with 355,784 older people, the pooled pressure injury prevalence for any stage was 11.6% (95% CI 9.6–13.7%). Fifteen studies with 5,421,798 older people reported the prevalence of pressure injury excluding stage I and the pooled estimate was 7.2% (95% CI 6.2–8.3%). The pooled incidence for pressure injury of any stage in four studies with 10,645 older people was 14.3% (95% CI 5.5–26.2%). Nursing home acquired pressure injury rate was reported in six studies with 79,998 older people and the pooled estimate was 8.5% (95% CI 4.4–13.5%). Stage I and stage II pressure injuries were the most common stages reported. The heel (34.1%), sacrum (27.2%) and foot (18.4%) were the three most reported locations of pressure injuries. Meta-regression results indicated a reduction in pressure injury prevalence over the years of data collection. The burden of pressure injuries among older people in nursing homes is similar to hospitalised patients and requires a targeted approach to prevention as is undertaken in hospitals. Future studies using robust methodologies focusing on epidemiology of pressure injury development in older people are needed to conduct as the first step of preventing pressure injuries. PROSPERO CRD42022328367. Pressure injury rates in nursing homes are comparable to hospital rates indicating the need for targeted programs similar to those in hospitals.