Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The burn specific health scale-brief (BSHS-B) has found wide acceptance as a quality of life (Qol) assessment tool. However, BSHS has rarely been employed in a very low income country like India, where burns is endemic and burns are more severe. ⋯ BSHS-RBA with five additional items, on mobility, economic impact and itch is a reliable and valid instrument. It is currently seen to be very useful in assessment of Qol in low income countries.
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This study examines the structural integrity of the airway epithelium in autopsy tissues from pediatric burn subjects. ⋯ Airway epithelial loss seen in autopsy tissue is not simply an artifact of tissue fixation. The degree of compromise correlates most strongly with age and degree of burn. Further studies are needed to identify physiological or critical care factors following burn injury that contribute to compromise in the structural and functional properties of the airway epithelium.
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Progressive increases in survival rates from burn trauma have shifted attention to patient rehabilitation and posttraumatic quality of life. The assessment of quality of life is strongly dependent on reliable instruments for its measurement. A literature review has revealed that the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) questionnaire is the most commonly used instrument worldwide. ⋯ The BSHS-B questionnaire was translated into Portuguese. It is a reliable tool in this language, showing face, content, and construct validity. The modified instrument has been named BSHS-B-Br.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Maximizing the safety of glycerol preserved human amniotic membrane as a biological dressing.
Preservation of human amniotic membrane (HAM) in glycerol 85% has been used clinically but the use of glycerol 98% can give the maximum virucidal activity and increases the safety of HAM. ⋯ HAM preserved in glycerol 98% is clinically effective as a biological dressing. The higher glycerol concentration increases the safety of HAM with retaining the clinical effect at the same time.