The relationship between Braden Skin Score (BSS) and the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome in elderly sepsis patients: An analysis based on the MIMIC-IV database

OBJECTIVE: The Braden Skin Score (BSS) is a validated tool for assessing pressure injury risk. This study aimed to investigate whether BSS can also predict the risk of developing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in elderly sepsis patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). BACKGROUND: ARDS is a common and serious complication in ICU patients with sepsis, associated with prolonged hospitalization, metabolic disorders, and increased mortality. Elderly sepsis patients are particularly vulnerable to pressure injuries due to prolonged bed rest. Nevertheless, the relationship between BSS and the risk of developing ARDS in this population has not been extensively studied. METHODS: Elderly sepsis patients from the MIMIC-IV database were chosen and partitioned into quartiles of BSS values. Although the incidence of ARDS was the primary endpoint, hospital mortality in the ARDS subgroup was the secondary endpoint. The correlation between low BSS and risk of ARDS and in-hospital mortality in elderly sepsis patients was assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a lower BSS at ICU admission was significantly associated with an increased risk of ARDS and higher in-hospital mortality among elderly sepsis patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a low BSS at ICU admission is associated with a greater risk of ARDS and higher in-hospital mortality in elderly sepsis patients.