Prevalence of Incontinence Associated Dermatitis and Associated Factors in Adults Hospitalized with Cancer

The incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) has been a concern; once installed, it potentiates the appearance of the pressure injury. Both of them have a great impact on patients undergoing cancer treatment.^1,2,3 This study aimed to identify and analyze the prevalence of IAD and the clinical and demographic associated  factors in hospitalized patients with cancer. This is an observational, cross sectional and descriptive epidemiological study. The sample was composed by 341 adult patients hospitalized at a Cancer Hospital. After reviewing  the medical records, the patients were interviewed, the skin was examined, and the physical mobility test was applied. Three instruments were used to collect data: demographic and clinical data, and the IAD classification.²  Chi-square test, Odds-Ration (OR), with 95% Confidence Interval besides Classification And Regression Tree (CART ) were used to analyze the data. The prevalence of IAD was 6.7% (23/341). According to the logistic regression model, married patients were 35% less likely to develop IAD (OR <1; p=0.954), widowers 7.8 times more chances (OR=7.886, p=0.004). The use of antihypertensives and anti-inflammatories increased the probability of developing IAD 6.3 (OR=6.333, p=0.002) and 8.9 times (OR=8.908, p=0.003), respectively. The presence of bruising was 3.4 times higher in the IAD group (OR = 3.466, p = 0.025). Supportive therapy increased the OR by 11.9 times (OR=11.942, p=0.061) and the use of diapers 12.9 times (OR=12.922, p<0.001). Given the scarcity of literature on the subject, this study contributes to a better understanding of the prevalence of IAD in cancer patients, and the clinical and demographic factors associated with its development, contributing to the development of a better therapeutic and preventive nursing care plan.