Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Burns incidence, mortality and complication rates have been shown to be directly correlated by race, gender and socioeconomic status. As such, socioeconomic status (SES) has been previously highlighted as a target for burn prevention in the UK and abroad. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham (QEHB) is the regional Burns Centre for the Midlands Burn Network, supporting a population of 13.7 million METHODS: 16-year retrospective review was performed of all acute adult burns assessed by the Burns and Plastics Department, QEHB. The data included patient demographics (age, gender, ethnic origin and postcode), mechanism of injury, total body surface area (TBSA) affected and whether first aid was given. IMD Rank, IMD Scores were obtained from individual postcodes, as well as incidence data per electoral ward. ⋯ This study shows patients from the most deprived areas are over-represented in burns incidence and are less likely to perform first aid. We feel this should be highlighted in burns prevention and education strategies.
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Visual evaluation is the most common method of evaluating burn wounds. Its subjective nature can lead to inaccurate diagnoses and inappropriate burn center referrals. Machine learning may provide an objective solution. The objective of this study is to summarize the literature on ML in burn wound evaluation. ⋯ Machine learning provides an objective adjunct that may improve diagnostic accuracy in evaluating burn wound severity. Existing models remain in the early stages with future studies needed to assess their clinical feasibility.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Validation of the modified NUTrition Risk Score (mNUTRIC) in mechanically ventilated, severe burn patients: A prospective multinational cohort study.
Whether nutrition therapy benefits all burn victims equally is unknown. To identify patients who will benefit the most from optimal nutrition, the modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) Score has been validated in the Intensive Care Unit. However, the utility of mNUTRIC in severe burn victims is unknown. We hypothesized that a higher mNUTRIC (≥5) will be associated with worse clinical outcomes, but that greater nutritional adequacy will be associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with higher mNUTRIC score. ⋯ The mNUTRIC score identifies those with poor clinical outcomes and may identifies those mechanically ventilated, severe burn patients in whom optimal nutrition therapy may be more advantageous.
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Patients with severe burns undergo a local and systemic response to the injury. As part of this response the patient becomes hypermetabolic. Current guidelines advise high protein intakes to counteract the catabolic response to burns, but this appears to be based on minimal experimental evidence. Hence the aim of this review was to examine the evidence for improvements in nutritional status and clinical outcome with the administration of high protein intakes for patients with burns. ⋯ There is currently only very weak evidence to justify administering high protein diets to patients following burns.
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This study evaluates the utility of arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters and chest radiography in predicting intubation need in patients with burn injuries with suspected inhalation injury. ⋯ In patients suspected inhalation injury, pH and P/F ratio were good predictors for appropriate intubations. Incorporating the parameters into the ABA criteria improved their clinical utility.