Research paper
Dressings and topical agents for preventing pressure ulcers.
Study answer
What this study found
Most trials found no clear benefit or harm overall, and the certainty of evidence was low to very low. Some individual fatty-acid trials suggested benefit, such as 12/164 vs 29/167 in Torra i Bou 2005, while Chiew 2010 found 9/54 vs 9/55. Several silicone dressing trials showed fewer pressure ulcers than no dressing, including 8/177 vs 28/182 in Forni 2018, 1/184 vs 7/182 in Kalowes 2016, 0/45 vs 6/35 in Saab 2015, 7/161 vs 27/152 in Santamaria 2015, and 2/37 vs 11/37 in Nakagami 2007. More high-quality research is needed before firm conclusions can be made.
- Study & population
- Systematic review of trials in adults and children at risk of pressure ulcers but without existing ulcers.
- Intervention
- Prophylactic dressings and topical skin agents were applied to intact skin at pressure-prone sites to prevent pressure ulcers.
- Key limitation
- Evidence was low to very low certainty, with small and heterogeneous trials testing many different products, comparators, and care settings.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
BACKGROUND Pressure ulcers, localised injuries to the skin or underlying tissue, or both, occur when people cannot reposition themselves to relieve pressure on bony prominences. These wounds are difficult to heal, painful, expensive to manage and hav…