Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of liquid and hydrocolloid dressings in the management of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) among critically ill patients and to evaluate their effects on skin lesion healing, symptom improvement, and complication prevention. METHODS: A total of 136 critically ill patients diagnosed with IAD and admitted to the hospital between January 2023 and January 2024 were included. Patients were randomly assigned using the random number table method to the hydrocolloid dressing group (n = 68) or the liquid dressing group (n = 68). The hydrocolloid dressing group received DuoDERM(®) hydrocolloid dressing, while the liquid dressing group received 3M™ Cavilon™ liquid dressing. Outcomes assessed included the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Perineal Assessment Tool (PAT) score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), skin lesion healing time, recurrence rate, and complications. Measurements were recorded before and after treatment, and clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: Following treatment, SCORAD, DLQI, PAT, and VAS scores decreased significantly in both groups compared with baseline (all p < 0.05). SCORAD, PAT, and VAS scores in the hydrocolloid dressing group were significantly lower than those in the liquid dressing group, while the DLQI scores were higher (all p < 0.05). In addition, the hydrocolloid dressing group demonstrated a shorter skin lesion healing time, lower recurrence rate, and reduced overall complication rate (all p < 0.05). The difference in clinical efficacy between the two groups was statistically significant, favoring the hydrocolloid dressing group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For critically ill patients with IAD, hydrocolloid dressings demonstrated superior efficacy compared with liquid dressings. Hydrocolloid dressings promoted faster healing of skin lesions, decreased recurrence and complication rates, and improved overall clinical outcomes.