Nutrition for Healing Acute and Chronic Wounds: Current Practice, Recent Research Findings, and Insights for Improving Care

Abstract

Wound prevalence is increasing as the global population ages. Older adults are at risk of wounds from falling and from other medical conditions that contribute to wound development and slowed healing (e.g., diabetes, cancer, chronic infections); they often experience health conditions that necessitate surgery and therefore post-surgical healing. Poor nutrition status, which includes deficiencies in macro- and micronutrients, is recognized as a key contributor to impaired wound healing in older adults. As such, the need for nutrition-focused wound care is also increasing. This <em>Perspective</em> review provides a framework for considering the links between nutrition, wounds, and healing. We start with a review of factors related to high incidence and prevalence of wounds in older adults, including inadequate nutrition. Nutrition interventions enhancing wound healing are also described as well as insights into strategies and tools for including nutrition as part of overall quality wound care, particularly for older adults. To meet the growing challenge of wound healing, professionals across care settings need to implement comprehensive and holistic wound-care strategies to benefit patient and healthcare-system outcomes. Nutrition is a critical intervention for these strategies.<strong>Keyword</strong><strong>s</strong>Nutrition; nutrition interventions; quality wound care; wound healing