Nutrition and Pressure Injury Healing
Current literature has identified more than 100 risk factors for pressure injury (PI) development. Some extrinsic (primary/non-physiological) and intrinsic (secondary/physiological) risk factors that contribute to PI development include diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, malignancy, prolonged pressure on an area of the body, being 70 years of age and older, smoking, urinary and fecal incontinence, a low body mass index (BMI), and malnutrition.
Pathophysiologic and intrinsic factors at the core of PI formation include nutrition. Maintaining adequate parameters of nutrition is considered a best practice in both the prevention and treatment of PIs. Individuals with PIs or who are at risk for developing PIs should strive to achieve or maintain adequate nutrition parameters. Meeting macronutrient and micronutrient requirements forms the foundation of good health. This translates to consuming wholesome, nutrient-dense foods!
