Retrospective Psychosocial Risk Model for Post-Hospital Telogen Effluvium in Patients with Pressure Ulcers
August 2025

TLDR Psychosocial distress significantly contributes to hair loss in patients with pressure ulcers after hospital discharge.
The study investigates the role of psychosocial factors in the development of telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair loss, in patients with pressure ulcers post-hospitalization. By reviewing the medical records of 92 hospitalized patients, 36 cases of telogen effluvium were identified. The research developed the Score Psicosocial de Riesgo para Efluvio Posthospitalario (SPREP), a risk model based on factors such as prolonged hospital stay, social isolation, emotional disorders, social work intervention, and psychological care requests. Patients scoring ≥4 on the SPREP had a significantly higher risk of developing telogen effluvium, with a ROC curve area of 0.83. The study concludes that documented psychosocial distress may significantly contribute to telogen effluvium, and the SPREP model could help identify at-risk patients, though external validation is recommended for broader clinical application.