Author:
Jain Jinisha Anand,Belgaumkar Vasudha Abhijit
Abstract
: Background: The management of critically-ill individuals in intensive care units (ICU) is complex. Immobility, pharmacological treatments, and reduced perfusion lead to compromised skin integrity, predisposing to complications like infections and allergies. The presence of dermatological disorders (DDs) may influence management strategies, the patient’s quality of life, duration of ventilation, length of hospitalization, and rate of mortality. Hence, it is critical to analyze the predictors of DDs among ICU inpatients. Objectives To determine the prevalence of DDs in ICUs, classify them, and analyze their associated parameters. Methods: Patients admitted to Medicine/Neonatal/Paediatric ICUs were enrolled in this hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted over two months at a tertiary care hospital. Patients with pre-existing DDs not leading to admission were excluded. The screening was initiated within 48 hours of admission, continued daily throughout the ICU stay, and terminated on discharge from the ICU, in the case of patient death or at the end of the data collection period. Requisite information was recorded using a predesigned proforma. Results: Out of 688 patients screened, 129 were found to have 136 skin lesions, with an overall prevalence of 18.9%; MICU had the highest prevalence (22.7%), followed by NICU (17.3%) and PICU (12%). Skin lesions were classified into seven major categories. A significant association was found between the type of dermatological disorder and age, the presence of comorbidity, and the route of admission (P-value < 0.05). Conclusions: This study identified modifiable predictors associated with DDs among ICU inpatients. Infectious disorders constituted the foremost category in children, and iatrogenic disorders were predominant in adults. More comprehensive prospective studies are needed to fully understand the impact of DDs on the prognosis and outcome of ICU patients.