A SURVEY OF WHEELCHAIR USE BY PARAPLEGIC INDIVIDUALS IN JAPAN .2. PREVALENCE OF PRESSURE SORES

A cross-sectional survey was done to clarify the incidence of pressure sores in 218 self-supported Japanese paraplegic patients and to deter mine effective measures for prevention. The majority of patients (85.7 %) had previous pressure sores, and 46.3% had undergone multiple surge ries. Some patients (17.9%) were still suffering from persistent sores which commonly developed at the ischial tuberosities, suggesting insu fficiency of self-care practice during wheelchair activities. Sensory disturbance over the seating surface, urinary incontinence, and genera l complications were seen in 85.8%, 49.5%, and 18.8% of total subjects , respectively. They were seen as risk factors for pressure sores, but only urinary incontinence clearly increased the current pressure sore prevalence. Nevertheless, both self-care practice and sports activiti es, seen in 85.3% and 36.2% of total subjects, respectively, contribut ed to greatly reduce the incidence. A patient education system includi ng acquisition of basic knowledge and proper technique should be estab lished to promote effective prevention of pressure sores in Japan.