EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIP FRACTURES AND PRESSURE ULCERS IN PATIENTS AGED 65 AND OVER

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hip fractures and pressure ulcers in patients aged 65 and over, and to determine the risk factors associated with pressure ulcer development. Methods: Patients aged 65 and over treated for femur neck fracture and pertrochanteric femur fracture at Trakya University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics between January 2021 and December 2022 were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients' age, gender, type of fracture, date of fracture, date of hospital admission, surgery date, comorbidities, medications, use of anti-decubitus mattresses, body mass index, location of pressure ulcers, grade, and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing scores according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel were obtained. Results: Pressure ulcers developed in 21 (7.6%) of the 276 patients, and multiple pressure ulcers developed in 6 (2.2%) patients. The mean preoperative waiting time was 9.1 days for patients who developed pressure ulcers. No significant relationship was found between gender, presence of comorbidities, and pressure ulcer development, including multiple ulcers. A significant relationship was found between the type of fracture and pressure ulcer development. Conclusion: Etiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, and preventive measures against the development of pressure ulcers are well described. This study emphasizes the relationship between the type of hip fracture and the development of pressure ulcers. Keywords: Femur neck fracture, hip fractures, pressure ulcer