Objective: Using the National Statistics ('DRG-Statistik') published by the Federal Statistical Office, we analyzed prevalences of pressure ulcers coded as principal or as additional diagnosis separately and describe differences in ulcer characteristics.
Patients and methods: Age-adjusted prevalence and tables for gender and age distribution of pressure ulcers separately for the principal diagnosis and for additional diagnoses were provided by the Federal Statistical Office.
Results: In 2005, about 16 million patients were treated as full-time patients in German hospitals. 9,941 (0.06%) were referred with pressure ulcer as principal diagnosis and 191,040 (1.19%) had at least one additional diagnosis pressure ulcer. People >65 years of age had the highest risk for pressure ulcers (per 100,000 population principal diagnosis: females 52 and males 37; additional diagnosis: females 1,076 and males 947). Up to 80% of those who had the principal diagnosis pressure ulcer had ulcers grade 3 and 4, whereas 60% of the pressure ulcers documented as additional diagnosis were grade 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). The most frequent localizations of pressure ulcers were the ischium, the sacrum and the heel. In patients <65 years of age with the principal diagnosis pressure ulcer, the mortality rate is <0.1%. In the older age groups it increases gradually up to 10% in the 8th decade of life.
Conclusion: Pressure ulcers are still a relevant problem in Germany. Although patients 65 years and older are at the highest risk, all age groups are affected. Younger people seem to struggle with different problems compared to older people.
Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.