Comparison Between the Effect of Zinc Oxide and Non-irritant Barrier Film on the Prevention of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis in Hospitalized Elderly in a Teaching Hospital

Introduction Skin lesions associated with moisture are defined as inflammation and skin erosion arising from prolonged exposure to sources such as urine, feces, sweat, wound exudate, mucus and saliva. They are initially triggered by lesions of the corneal extract, induced by exposure to multiple factors such as hyperhydration, friction, temperature, chemical irritants, urine and feces.

Among these types of lesions there is Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) which is a common clinical manifestation in patients with urinary and / or fecal incontinence. It is a skin inflammation that occurs as a consequence of the contact of the perineal, perigenital, perianal and adjacent areas with the urine and feces, besides erosion of the epidermis and macerated appearance.

The prevalence of IAD was reported as responsible for 7% of skin lesions in incontinent patients in nursing homes, 50% of them with fecal incontinence and 42% in hospitalized incontinent adults.

That the hospitalized incontinent individual is exposed to extrinsic and intrinsic factors that increase the susceptibility to IAD. As intrinsic factors, age, level of consciousness, oxygenation, mobility and comorbidity are mentioned, while extrinsic factors are related to exposure to incontinence, humidity and friction, as well as the frequency and quality of hygiene. Elderly incontinents are particularly vulnerable to the development of IAD because they have fewer layers of corneal extract, and also show a gradual decline in the barrier function associated with collagen and elastin decrease, as well as a decrease in microcirculation.

Patients bedridden, dependent, without sphincter control make constant use of diapers. In this universe of patients, the elderly are hospitalized. They demand more health services, hospitalizations are more common and hospitalization time is higher.