Early Detection Methods of Deep Tissue Pressure Injuries: A Systematic Review

Deep tissue pressure injuries (DTPIs) have witnessed a growing prevalence in hospitals and other health care units especially among individuals with pathological conditions that give rise to restricted mobility, impaired sensation, and reduced tissue tolerance. The etiology of DTPIs has been a subject of controversy, to which several explanatory models have been proposed, including direct mechanical insult, ischemia-reperfusion, lymphatic occlusion, and inflammatory cytokines. In line with these pathophysiological scenarios, ultrasound, subepidermal moisture detection, and biomarker technologies have been proposed as potential early detection methods of DTPIs. This paper provides a systematic review involving these three methods. The conclusion is that combining and implementing these methods at different time periods during DTPIs development and progression respectively is likely to be the most universal, effective and promising way for DTPIs diagnosis.