Exploring the Role of Pain as an Early Indicator for Individuals at Risk of Pressure Ulcer Development: A Systematic Review

Background: Pressure ulcer (PU) development begins with an inflammatory response, arising due to pressure and shear forces causing changes to the cytoskeletal structure of cells. Thus, pain, synonymous with inflammation, may be an indicator of PU development. Aim: To explore the role of pain as an indicator of PU development and to determine how this pain was measured. Method: We searched PUBMED, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases. A total of 879 records were returned, with eight satisfying the inclusion criteria. Narrative data synthesis was undertaken. The quality of studies was assessed using the evidence-based librarianship (EBL) checklist. Results: The studies were conducted between 2000 and 2019, and 75% (n = 6) employed a cross-sectional design. The mean sample size was 760 participants (SD = 703). Of the included studies, 87.5% (n = 7) identified that pain was associated with PU development. The most frequent pain assessment tool was the numeric rating scale (37.5%; n = 3). Using the EBL checklist, 62.5% (n = 5) of the studies scored ≥75%, reflecting validity. Linking Evidence to Action: Pain is associated with PU development; however, further research is required to validate these findings and assess the characteristics associated with pain as a symptom preceding PU development.