Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Case Reports Comparative Study
Suicide by burning: a retrospective review of the Akron Regional Burn Center.
At the Akron Regional Burn Center from January 1978 through March 1995, 36 cases of attempted suicide by burning were identified in 34 patients. The overall incidence rate was 1 per cent of all burn center admissions to this institution. Of these patients, 21 of 34 were male and 13 of 34 were female. ⋯ Depression was the most common psychiatric diagnosis by history. The method most commonly used was a flame with the addition of a flammable liquid. These results are presented, discussed and compared to a review of the literature on the topic.
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A retrospective study of 716 patients aged 60 years and above (324 men, 392 women) was undertaken in order to determine quality control in burns management in the South West of France. The following epidemiological data was obtained: high hospitalization rate (7 per cent of the general admissions); monthly and seasonal periodicity; predominance of indoor accidents (86 per cent) with domestic accidents being more frequent in women (63 vs. 37 per cent). Outdoor accidents were mainly recreational and were five times more frequent in men than in women. ⋯ More burns occurred in urban areas (53 per cent) but mortality was higher in patients from rural areas (62 vs. 38 per cent). It was observed that delay in management, especially fluid resuscitation of patients from the rural areas, was partly responsible for this outcome. Propositions were made to diffuse more information on the importance of early management of burns in rural areas.