Total Parenteral Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Decubitus Ulcers in the Aged

Abstract

The efficacy of total parenteral nutrition therapy in the treatment of decubitus ulcers was evaluated in the elderly, the bedridden and in chronically ill patients. Twenty patients (age mean=78.3±8.5 years, male 3, female 9) having 20 ulcers, which had all resisted routine treatment measures, were treated with total parenteral nutrition for a period of 21 days. The size of the decubitus ulcers decreased significantly (16.0+12.8→13.6±13.7 cm², P<0.05). Concentrations of both retinol-binding protein and transferrin increased significantly (both, P<0.01). Nitrogen equilibrium also increased significantly (P<0.01). Thus, there is the possibility that total parenteral nutrition therapy can be helpful in the treatment of decubitus ulcers in the aged under poor nutritional conditions.