Prognostic Factors in the Prevention of Pressure Injury in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Literature Review

Individuals with spinal cord injuries are at a higher risk for developing pressure injuries. Pressure injuries are the second most common secondary complication in individuals with SCI. These pressure injuries are a burden on patients’ health, well-being, and quality of life. They are also a burden on families and the healthcare system. The risk factors for the development of pressure injury for individuals with SCI are dependent on the nature of the injury. Identification of prognostic factors of pressure injury for individuals with SCI will improve the ability of the healthcare system to prevent these potentially life-altering injuries. This systematic literature review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, including the PRISMA flowchart for study selection and the PRISMA checklist for systematic review and meta-analyses. Databases searched for evidence for this review included Ovid Medline, CINAHL, PEDro, PyschInfo, and the Cochrane Library. This systematic literature review will examine prognostic factors that can be identified to prevent the occurrence of pressure injuries in individuals with SCI