Frequency of Bed Sores in Stroke Patients Presenting to Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad

Abstract

Background: Bed sores in patients who suffer stroke are a major problem because these patients remain in one position for long time and their body does not move well, so the skin becomes weak and gets damaged easily. Many of them have reduced sensation and they cannot tell early signs, and the pressure on the skin continues for many hours and slowly makes the tissues break down. In many hospitals the burden of bed sores is rising and it affects comfort, recovery and overall condition of these patients. Objective: To determine the frequency of bed sores in patients with stroke presenting to Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Duration and Place of Study: This study was done from March 2025 to June 2025 in the General Medicine ward of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. Methodology: A total of 183 patients aged between thirty and seventy years who came with stroke confirmed through brain scan were included. A skin examination was done to look for pressure related damage that involved redness, dark color changes or deeper wounds. Information about age, gender, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, type of stroke and duration of illness was recorded. Results: Out of 183 patients, 29 had bed sores which showed frequency of 15.8%. Higher body mass index, living in urban area and longer duration of illness showed more bed sores, while other factors did not show strong relation. Conclusion: Bed sores are common in stroke patients and they increase when patients stay in bed for long time and when body weight is higher, so early skin care and regular turning is important to reduce this problem.