Epidemiological study of 100 cases of burn injuries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20190025Keywords:
Burn, Epidemiology, Trauma, TBSA, PTSDAbstract
Background: Burn injuries are a huge public health challenge and a preventable cause of formidable morbidity, mortality, disfigurement, and disabilities. The incidence of burn injuries remains high all over India and more so in the given region. This is an epidemiological study from 100 consecutive adult burn cases admitted in Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital Burns Unit. The aim was to study the various epidemiological factors like age group, sex, socioeconomic status, causative factors, comorbid conditions, the severity of burns, psychological aspects and treatment modalities which impact the outcome.
Methods: 100 cases admitted in the burn unit of Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital were studied from October 2017 to October 2018. Data on age, sex, aetiology, percentage of body surface area (TBSA), comorbid conditions, socioeconomic factors, treatment modalities, psychological factors, bacteriological studies and treatment outcomes were studied during the period. Inclusion criteria was all burn patients more than 14 years of age.
Results: A total of 100 cases of burns were studied (male 32 and female 68). The average percentage of TBSA was 45% and the most common etiological factor was flame burns. Comorbid conditions like diabetes and COPD significantly affected the outcome. Psychological factors played an important role in the causation and outcomes. Treatment modalities were tailored according to the severity of burns. Mortality was higher for burns more than 40% TBSA.
Conclusions: This study represents the epidemiological pattern of burns in Tirunelveli district and can be used to devise improvements in treatment protocols, strategies in burns prevention and to plan a modern hi-tech burns unit.
References
Zeitlin RE, Järnberg J, Somppi EJ, Sundell B. Long-term functional sequelae after paediatric burns. Burns. 1998;24(1):3-6.
Williams FN, Herndon DN, Jeschke MG. The hypermetabolic response to burn injury and interventions to modify this response. Clin Plastic Surg. 2009;36(4):583-96.
WHO. WHO Health Estimates 2014 Summary Tables: Deaths and Global Burden of Disease, 2014. http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/en/. (Accessed on 21 December 2018).
Honnegowda TM, Udupa EG, Rao P, Kumar P, Singh R. Superficial burn wound healing with intermittent negative pressure wound therapy under limited access and conventional dressings. World J Plastic Surg. 2016;5(3):265.
Elsous A, Ouda M, Mohsen S, Al-Shaikh M, Mokayad S, Abo-Shaban N, et al. Epidemiology and outcomes of hospitalized burn patients in Gaza Strip: a descriptive study. Ethiopian J Health Sci. 2016;26(1):9-16.
Zeitlin R. Late outcome of paediatric burns-scarred for life?. Ann Chirurgiae Gynaecol. 1998;87:80-80.
Gupta JL, Makhija LK, Bajaj SP. National programme for prevention of burn injuries. Ind J Plastic Surg: Off Pub Assoc Plastic Surg India. 2010;43:S6.
Goswami P, Singodia P, Sinha AK, Tudu T. Five-year epidemiological study of burn patients admitted in burns care unit, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. Ind J Burns. 2016;24(1):41.
Othman N, Kendrick D. Epidemiology of burn injuries in the East Mediterranean Region: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2010;10(1):83.
Sawhney CP, Ahuja RB, Goel A. Burns in India: epidemiology and problems in management. Ind J Burns. 1993;1(1):1-4.
Chauhan N, Kumar S, Sharma U. Profile of acute thermal burn admissions to the intensive care unit of a tertiary burn care center in India. Ind J Burns. 2012;20(1):68.
Deshpande JD, Baviskar PK, Phalke DB. Epidemiological study of hospitalized burn patients in rural area. Inter J Bimed Advanced Res. 2012;3(4):263-7.
Sharma BR, Harish D, Sharma V, Vij K. Kitchen accidents vis-a-vis dowry deaths. Burns. 2002;28(3):250-3.
Ahuja RB, Goswami P. Cost of providing inpatient burn care in a tertiary, teaching, hospital of North India. Burns. 2013;39(4):558-64.
Akhtar MS, Ahmad I, Khan AH, Khurram FM, Haq A, Basari R. Burn injury associated with comorbidities: Impact on the outcome. Ind J Burns. 2014;22(1):51.
Palmu R, Suominen K, Vuola J, Isometsä E. Mental disorders after burn injury: a prospective study. Burns. 2011;37(4):601-9.
