SCIENCE, PRACTICE AND EDUCATION DOI: 10.35279/jowm2022.23.02.09 Skin tears anno 2022: An update on definition, epidemiology, classification, aetiology, prevention and treatment Hanne Van Tiggelen 1 , Dimitri Beeckman 1,2 1. Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium 2. Swedish Centre for Skin and Wound Research (SCENTR), School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden Correspondence: Dimitri.Beeckman@UGent.be · Conflict of interest: Hanne Van Tiggelen: None, Dimitri Beeckman: Immediate Past President, ISTAP Keywords: Aetiology, classification, epidemiology, prevention, skin tears, state of the science, treatment INTRODUCTION People with skin vulnerability are at increased risk for a range of skin injuries, with skin tears being one of the most common conditions. 1 Throughout life, there are periods of increased skin vulnerability, making people more susceptible to a variety of skin injuries. 2 The aim of this article is to provide a review of the scant but emerging evidence base on the epi- demiology, aetiology, classification, prevention and treatment of skin tears. 1. DEFINITION AND IMPACT The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) advocates a universal taxonomy and defines skin tears as ‘traumatic wounds caused by mechanical forces, including removal of adhesives. Severity may vary by depth (not extending through the subcutaneous layer)’. 3 Although skin tears can occur in any ana- tomical location, they are particularly common on the extremities, such as the upper and lower limbs, or the dorsal aspect of the hands. 4 Skin tears are reported in all healthcare settings and in all age groups, but are most common in the elderly, neonates and the critically and chronically ill. 5 Although skin tears are acute wounds that have the potential to heal through primary intention, they are at high risk of developing into chronic wounds if im- properly treated. 6 Individuals suffering from wounds that are difficult to heal are vulnerable to prolonged pain, emotional distress, embarrassment, infection and decreased quality of life. 4 Conducting qualita- tive studies that examine patient experiences and the impact of skin tears on physical, psychological and social functioning is strongly recommended. 3 From a health economics perspective, skin tears can result in high labour and material costs, increased caregiver workload and prolonged hospital stays. 7,8 2. AN UPDATE ON EPIDEMIOLOGY Although largely preventable, skin tears are consid- ered common wounds with prevalence and incidence rates very similar to those of pressure ulcers. 9,10,11,12 To date, only a limited number of studies have ex- amined the prevalence and incidence of skin tears in different patient populations, healthcare settings and countries. Prevalence reflects the number of existing cases of a disease or injury at a specific point in time. Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease or injury over a specified period of time. 13,14 2.1.Prevalence of skin tears The prevalence of skin tears is estimated between 1.1% and 41.2%, with the highest prevalence in JOURNAL OF WOUND MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN WOUND MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION 38
Share
Download PDF file
Build your own flipbook