Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor for Surgery-Related Pressure Ulcers

A Meta-analysis

Abstract

PURPOSE: 

The purpose of this study was to determine whether diabetes mellitus is associated with increased likelihood of surgery-related (perioperative) pressure ulcers.

METHODS: 

The MEDLINE and Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge electronic databases were searched for studies of diabetes as a risk factor for surgery-related pressure ulcers in case-control or cohort design; studies were limited to those published in English. Data from studies meeting inclusion criteria were pooled, and a meta-analysis was completed using the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Odds ratios for surgery-related pressure ulcers were calculated for patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS: 

Six observational studies were identified involving a total of 2453 patients. When compared to patients with normal glucose tolerance, persons with diabetes mellitus were more likely to experience surgery-related pressure ulcers (odds ratio 5 2.15; 95% confidence interval: 1.62–2.84).

CONCLUSION: 

Our meta-analysis indicates that patients with diabetes mellitus are slightly more than twice as likely to develop surgery-related pressure ulcers as compared to patients with normal glucose tolerance.