Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Burn-related fatalities pose a significant global public health challenge, with a substantial impact on the elderly population. This study examines two decades of burn-related mortality data in the United States, aiming to understand the trends, disparities, and contributing factors among adults aged 65 and older. ⋯ Our analysis of 20 years of burn-related mortality data from the CDC reveals alarming trends in the United States. Unlike global trends, mortality rates have stagnated from 1999 to 2020, indicating a persistent public health challenge. Black individuals aged over 65 bear the brunt of burn-related mortality, facing the highest age-adjusted rates among all racial groups. Regional disparities are stark, with states in the top 90 % exhibiting significantly higher age-adjusted mortality rates compared to those in the bottom 10 %. Moreover, rural areas consistently report higher mortality rates than urban areas. Ischemic heart disease, hypertensive diseases, and other heart-related conditions emerge as prevalent comorbidities. To effectively reduce burn-related injuries and fatalities, targeted public health policies are imperative. These interventions must prioritize high-risk populations and adopt culturally sensitive approaches to promote safety. Additionally, enhancing access to healthcare and fire safety education is vital for mitigating the burden of burn-related mortality among the elderly population.
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Hypertrophic scars and keloids are forms of pathologic scarring that can give rise to pain and pruritus. The link between nerve function and nerve density and the symptoms in pathologic scars (PS) remains unclear. ⋯ Wide heterogeneity between studies exists. Therefore, no firm conclusions can be formulated. However, evidence suggests involvement of the cutaneous nervous system by neurogenic inflammation in the pathophysiology of pathologic scars and their symptoms.
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Whilst wound repair in severe burns has received substantial research attention, non-severe burns (<20 % total body surface area) remain relatively understudied, despite causing considerable physiological impact and constituting most of the hospital admissions for burns. Early prediction of healing outcomes would decrease financial and patient burden, and aid in preventing long-term complications from poor wound healing. Lipids have been implicated in inflammation and tissue repair and may play essential roles in burn wound healing. ⋯ Inflammatory markers GlycB and C-reactive protein indicated divergent systemic responses to the burn injury at admission. Triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols and low-density lipoprotein subfractions were associated with re-epithelisation (p-value <0.02, Cliff's delta >0.7), whilst high-density lipoprotein subfractions, phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidylcholines, and phosphatidylserines were associated with delayed wound closure at two weeks post-surgery (p-value <0.01, Cliff's delta <-0.7). Further model validation will potentially lead to personalised intervention strategies to reduce the risk of chronic complications post-burn injury.
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Providing excellent care to patients with acute burns can result in lower mortality and disability in the long-term. There are no specific instruments to evaluate the quality of care provided at this stage of treatment. This study aims to create an instrument to evaluate the quality of hospital care provided to patients with acute burns in Brazil. ⋯ Our study identified key terms, and consensus was reached on 106 statements; a need to define clear outcome evaluation methods was observed.
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Burn trauma induces hypermetabolism and alters thermoregulation resulting in elevated body temperature. Because patients with burns are prone to heat loss and hypothermia, maintaining physiologic body temperature is important. However, optimal target temperature is widely unknown because thermoregulation of burn trauma has mainly been studied in the previous century, when treatment concepts differed from current era. ⋯ Classic concepts of thermal management in burn care are not universally adopted. A majority of the centers expresses the need for specific guidelines. The basis for this should be multicentre clinical trials on temperature management in burn trauma.