Abstract
A high incidence of re-admissions to a spinal injuries unit by a small number of patients suffering from multiple pressure sores is described. The study shows an increased association of skin fragility and poor healing with an altered psychological behaviour. This combination of vulnerability to recurrent pressure sores in association with the pathological intellectual debility is described as 'ectodermic syndrome'. This restricts the eventual rehabilitative outcome.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Crenshaw R P, Vistnes L M . A decade of pressure sore research 1977-1987. Jour Rhabil Res Dev 1989: 26: 63–74.
Cull H G, Smith O H . ‘Preliminary note on demographic and personality correlated of decubitus ulcer incidence’. J Psychol 1973: 85: 225–227.
Anderson T P, Andberg M M . ‘Psychological factors associated with pressure sores. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1979: 60: 341–346.
Judd J K, Burrows G B . Liaison psychiatry in a spinal injuries unit. Paraplegia 1986: 24: 6–19.
Judd J K, Burrows G B, Brown D J . ‘Depression following acute spinal cord injury’. Paraplegia 1986: 24: 358–363.
Rodriguez G P, Claus Walker, J . ‘Biochemical changes in skin composition in spinal injury-A possible contribution to decubitus ulcers’. Paraplegia 1988: 26: 302–309.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heilporn, A. Psychological factors in the causation of pressure sores: case report. Spinal Cord 29, 137–139 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1991.19
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1991.19
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Effect of surgery on psychiatric states and quality of life of paraplegics and quadriplegics with pressure sores and their primary caregivers
European Journal of Plastic Surgery (2009)