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Pompermaier L, Steinvall I, Elmasry M, Eladany MM, Abdelrahman I, Fredrikson M, Sjöberg F. Long-term mortality after self-inflicted burns. Burns 2024; 50:252-261. [PMID: 37805374 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Those with self-inflicted burns are a small but consistent group among burn patients, with large injuries and conflicting findings regarding their in-hospital mortality. Overall, burn survivors have a shorter life expectancy, as compared with national controls, but long-term mortality after self-inflicted burns is understudied. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate possible differences in long-term mortality among survivors after self-inflicted and accidental burns. METHODS All adult patients with burns admitted at the Linköping Burn Centre and discharged alive between 2000 and 2017 were included, and end of follow up was April 26, 2021. Those with unknown survival status at that time were excluded. A Cox proportional hazards regression model, adjusted for age and sex, was used to analyse long term mortality. RESULTS Among the 930 patients included in this study, 37 had self-inflicted burns. Overall, median follow up period was 8.8 years and crude mortality was 24.7%. After adjustment for age and sex, self-inflicted burns were independently associated with long-term mortality, Hazard Ratio= 2.08 (95% CI 1.13-3.83). Post hoc analysis showed that the effect was most pronounced during the first years after discharge although it was noticeable over the whole study period. CONCLUSION Long-term risk of mortality after discharge from a burn centre was higher in patients with self-inflicted burns than in patients with accidental burns. The effect was noticeable over the whole study period although it was most pronounced during the first years after discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pompermaier
- Department of Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Burns, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Ingrid Steinvall
- Department of Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Burns, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Moustafa Elmasry
- Department of Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Burns, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mostafa M Eladany
- Department of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt
| | - Islam Abdelrahman
- Department of Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Burns, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mats Fredrikson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Folke Sjöberg
- Department of Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Burns, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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2
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Amirize E, Kankam HKN, Abdulsalam A, Choudhary R, Walker H, Moiemen N. Self-inflicted Burns: The Experience of a UK Regional Burns Center. J Burn Care Res 2024; 45:80-84. [PMID: 37864840 PMCID: PMC11023247 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irad163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Self-inflicted burns (SIBs) are preventable injuries that often occur due to suicidal intent or deliberate self-harm. The incidence of SIB and demographics vary across different countries. This study highlights our regional experience of SIB over almost 2 decades, assessing characteristics and outcomes. A retrospective chart review of all patients assessed at a UK regional burns center, presenting with SIB, from 2003 to 2021, was performed. Subgroup analyses based on gender, the presence or absence of pre-existing psychiatric disorders, and in-hospital patient mortality were undertaken. The relationship between annual mental health funding and the incidence of SIB was assessed. Over the study period, a total of 285 SIB cases, with a median age of 42.84 years, were presented to our center. The majority of patients were male (63.2%) and had a pre-existing psychiatric disorder (74.7%). Flame burns were the most frequent type of injury (82.1%) and the median total BSA (TBSA) was 10.25%. The average length of hospital stay was 10 days and the inpatient mortality rate was 20.7%, significantly greater than the mortality of the rest of the cohort (3.7%, P < .01). SIB survivors were younger and had less severe burns, relative to non-survivors. There was no statistically significant correlation between the incidence of SIBs and mental health funding. SIBs account for a minority of referrals to our regional burns center. Adequately funded regional and national measures should be implemented to reduce the incidence and impact of these injuries, alongside appropriate mental health support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezekwe Amirize
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
- Scar Free Foundation Centre for Burns Research, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Hadyn K N Kankam
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Abdulrazak Abdulsalam
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
- Scar Free Foundation Centre for Burns Research, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Rajan Choudhary
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Harriet Walker
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Naiem Moiemen
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
- Scar Free Foundation Centre for Burns Research, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Obed D, Dastagir N, Salim M, Bucher F, Gruber L, Schröter A, Panayi AC, Knoedler S, Dastagir K, Vogt PM. Attempted Suicide by Burning: A Cross-sectional Analysis at a Regional Burn Center in Germany. J Burn Care Res 2023; 44:852-859. [PMID: 36370123 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irac170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Attempted suicide by self-immolation or burning constitutes an uncommon form of attempted suicide in high income countries, presenting substantial challenges to burn units. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes in intensive care burn patients treated for attempted suicide by burning. For this purpose, we examined intensive care burn patients admitted to a single major burn unit between March 2007 and December 2020. Demographic, clinical, epidemiological, and mortality data were collected and analyzed. Major psychiatric comorbidities were evaluated according to ICD-9 and ICD-10 classifications. A total of 1325 intensive care unit burn patients were included. Suicide by burning was attempted in 45 cases (3.4%). Attempted suicide victims presented with significantly higher burn severity, reflected by higher abbreviated burn severity index scores, and larger TBSA affected. Burned TBSA ≥30% and inhalation injuries were observed more frequently in suicidal patients. These patients also experienced prolonged hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, required surgical interventions and mechanical ventilation more frequently, and had significantly longer periods on ventilation, causing an overall higher mortality rate (24.4%). Psychiatric comorbidities were present in 75.6% of patients who attempted suicide. Despite the low prevalence, burn severity and mortality are considerably high in patients who attempted suicide by burning, presenting a significant challenge for healthcare providers. The majority of patients had a history of psychiatric disorder, highlighting the importance of identifying patients at high-risk who may profit from increased psychiatric intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doha Obed
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Nadjib Dastagir
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Mustafa Salim
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Florian Bucher
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Lisa Gruber
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Andreas Schröter
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Adriana C Panayi
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samuel Knoedler
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department for Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Khaled Dastagir
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Peter M Vogt
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Germany
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4
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Gueler JR, McMullen K, Kowalske K, Holavanahalli R, Fauerbach JA, Ryan CM, Stoddard FJ, Wiechman SA, Roaten K. Exploratory analysis of long-term physical and mental health morbidity and mortality: A comparison of individuals with self-inflicted versus non-self-inflicted burn injuries. Burns 2019; 46:531-538. [PMID: 31640886 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Self-inflicted burn (SIB) injuries are relatively rare, but patients may experience complex biopsychosocial challenges. This study aimed to compare long-term physical and psychological outcomes for individuals with SIB and non-SIB injuries. METHODS Records of adult SIB (n = 125) and non-SIB (n = 3604) injuries were collected from U.S. burn centers within the Burn Model System between 1993 and 2018. Assessments were administered at discharge, 6 months, 24 months, 5 years, and 10 years. RESULTS SIB patients were more often younger, unmarried, unemployed, male, struggling with pre-morbid psychiatric issues, and injured by fire/flame (all p < 0.001). SIB injury predicted prolonged mechanical ventilation, hospitalization, and rehabilitation (all p < 0.001). After injury, SIB patients had increased anxiety at 24 months (p = 0.0294), increased suicidal ideation at 5 years (p = 0.004), and clinically worse depression at 10 years (p = 0.0695). SIB patients had increased mortality across 24 months compared to non-SIB patients (OR = 4.706, p = 0.010). CONCLUSION SIB injuries are associated with worse physical and psychological outcomes compared to non-SIB injuries including complicated hospitalizations and chronic problems with anxiety, depression, suicidality, and mortality, even when controlling for common indicators of severity such as burn size. This underscores the importance of multidisciplinary treatment, including mental healthcare, and long-term follow-up for SIB patients. Identified pre-morbid risk factors indicate the need for targeted injury prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kara McMullen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karen Kowalske
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Radha Holavanahalli
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - James A Fauerbach
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Colleen M Ryan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frederick J Stoddard
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Shriners, USA
| | - Shelley A Wiechman
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kimberly Roaten
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Caine PL, Tan A, Barnes D, Dziewulski P. Self-inflicted Burns: 10 year review and comparison to national guidelines. Burns 2015; 42:215-221. [PMID: 26603912 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2015.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is an increasing trend of self-inflicted burns noted in the literature, often seen in patients with complex psychosocial backgrounds. These patients are challenging to manage as the recovery from the acute burn may be compounded by difficult rehabilitation and suboptimal coping strategies. We aimed to review patients presenting to our burns unit with self-inflicted burns, the management strategies and examine the complexities surrounding their management. We assessed patient outcomes with a particular interest in psychosocial support given. METHODS A retrospective review of all patients presenting with self-inflicted burns over a 10 year period (2005-2014 inclusive) was conducted. Patients were identified through IBID database coded as either 'self-inflicted' or 'suicidal.' We reviewed patient and burn demographics, the clinical management, psychosocial management and patient outcomes such as wound healing, re-admission rates, and survival. RESULTS We identified 118 self-inflicted burns in total. 50/118 (42%) were admitted. 64 (54%) were male and the total body surface burn area ranged from <0.5% to 99% with a median of 14%. 60/118 (51%) had TBSA <10% and 58/118 (49%) had TBSA >10%. 24 (48%) underwent admission to the Burn Intensive Care Unit (BITU). All patients admitted to BITU had TBSA >10%. Of those admitted to BITU 6 were palliative, 18 had full resuscitation and surgical management. Of those 18 patients who had active treatment, 10/18 (56%) died. Mean total length of stay was 31 days, range 1-130 days. 9% of patients sustained injuries whilst being a current inpatient at a psychiatric institution. Of all patients reviewed, 16% (n=19) had a previous history of deliberate self-harm through burns. Of those patients admitted, 98% of were reviewed by the mental health team during their admission with time to psychological review varying depending on fitness for assessment. The overall mean length of stay for all admitted patients who were actively treated but who subsequently died was 53 days. 84% of admitted patients were managed surgically. CONCLUSION Self-inflicted burns patients would benefit from a more complex pathway of treatment as their management aims to achieve not only physical health but also psychological health. They would benefit from enhanced care to manage the acute burn but also psychiatric support to ensure patients do not re-offend.
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Affiliation(s)
- P L Caine
- St Andrew Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Chelmsford, United Kingdom.
| | - A Tan
- St Andrew Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Chelmsford, United Kingdom
| | - D Barnes
- St Andrew Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Chelmsford, United Kingdom
| | - P Dziewulski
- St Andrew Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Chelmsford, United Kingdom
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Kamolz LP. Attempted Suicide by Self-immolation is a Powerful Predictive Variable for Survival of Burn Injuries. J Burn Care Res 2013; 34:e271. [DOI: 10.1097/bcr.0b013e3182685b72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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7
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Öksüz S, Sever C, Uygur F, Kulahci Y, Ülkür E. Circumferential self-inflicted full thickness cervical burn. Burns 2012; 39:1027. [PMID: 23265277 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2012.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sinan Öksüz
- Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Burn Unit, İstanbul, Turkey.
| | - Celalettin Sever
- Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Burn Unit, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatih Uygur
- Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Burn Unit, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Yalcin Kulahci
- Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Burn Unit, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Ersin Ülkür
- Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Burn Unit, İstanbul, Turkey
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8
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Norouzi K, Taghinejad H, Mohammadi F, Mohammadi E, Suhrabi Z. What is missed in self-immolated patients' care?: a grounded theory study. J Clin Nurs 2012; 21:3418-28. [DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kian Norouzi
- Department of Nursing; University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences; Tehran
| | - Hamid Taghinejad
- Department of Nursing; University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences; Tehran
| | - Farahnaz Mohammadi
- Iranian Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences; Tehran
| | - Eesa Mohammadi
- Department of Nursing-Tarbiat; Modares University; Tehran
| | - Zainab Suhrabi
- Department of Midwifery; Ilam University of Medical Sciences; Ilam Iran
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Lumenta DB, Vierhapper MF, Kamolz LP, Keck M, Frey M. Train surfing and other high voltage trauma: differences in injury-related mechanisms and operative outcomes after fasciotomy, amputation and soft-tissue coverage. Burns 2011; 37:1427-34. [PMID: 21852047 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2011.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2011] [Revised: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of scarce reports on train surfers among high voltage electric injuries, we conducted a retrospective review between January 1994 and December 2008. METHODS After matching for inclusion criteria we reviewed patient records of 37 true high voltage injuries (12 train surfers [TS] and 25 other high voltage injuries [HV]). RESULTS TS were significantly younger (TS 15.8 years vs. HV 33.3 years, p<0.0001), and had a greater %TBSA (TS 49.7%TBSA vs. HV 21.5%TBSA, p=0.0003) without affecting the median length-of-stay (TS 52 days vs. HV 49 days) or number of operations (TS 4 vs. HV 3). TS had different injury patterns, with a higher percentage of affected extremities (TS 72.9% vs. HV 52.0%, p=0.0468) and associated injuries (TS 58% vs. HV 20%, n.s.) than HV. Both groups demonstrated comparable fasciotomy (TS 71.4% vs. HV 55.8%) and amputation rates (TS 17.1% vs. HV 15.4%). While TS required less flaps (TS 3/12 vs. HV 18/25; p=0.0153), soft-tissue reconstruction revealed an overall low incidence of complication rates (one partial pedicled flap loss and two total free flap losses). CONCLUSIONS Train surfers have proven to be a distinct group of patients among high-voltage injuries notably as a result of a younger age, a shorter electric contact duration and higher velocity-induced trauma. With a possibly declining trend of train surfing-related accidents in an aging society, it will be interesting to see if emerging economies will face comparable phenomena, for which prevention strategies remain key.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Benjamin Lumenta
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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10
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Theodorou P, Phan VTQ, Weinand C, Maegele M, Maurer CA, Perbix W, Leitsch S, Lefering R, Spilker G. Suicide by burning: epidemiological and clinical profiles. Ann Plast Surg 2011; 66:339-43. [PMID: 21301290 DOI: 10.1097/sap.0b013e3182071f83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Self-immolation constitutes a rare form of suicide in developed countries, though it accounts for unique injury characteristics in the burn intensive care unit. The aim of this study was to present the epidemiological and clinical features of patients burned during a suicidal attempt seen in a North Rhine-Westphalia burn intensive care unit (BICU). To address this aim, we undertook a 21-year retrospective study involving patients with thermal injuries admitted to the largest burn unit in Germany. A total of 125 suicide-related burn victims were identified in the study period (9.4%). Comparing the self-immolation group with the rest burn patient cohort, suicide victims were more likely to be single and to act under the influence of alcohol. The suicidal group had a larger extent of burns, higher incidence of inhalation injury, required more surgical procedures, catecholamines, blood transfusions, and a longer BICU stay. Their clinical course was complicated by prolonged intubation period, higher rate of multiple drug-resistant bacteria acquisition and sepsis, leading to a higher mortality rate. Although the proportion of self-immolation victims among all burned patients is not high, the markedly higher severity of their burns and their poorer quality of outcomes makes them an important clinical subgroup for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Theodorou
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Merheim-Hospital University of Witten-Herdecke, Cologne, Germany.
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11
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Moniz P, Casal D, Mavioso C, Videira-Castro J, Angélica-Almeida M. The self-inflicted burns-Typology and its prognostic relevance in a 14-year review of self-inflicted burns in a tertiary referral centre. Burns 2011; 37:322-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2010.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2010] [Revised: 07/21/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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12
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Titscher A, Lumenta DB, Kamolz LP, Mittlboeck M, Frey M. Emotional associations with skin: differences between burned and non-burned individuals. Burns 2010; 36:759-63. [PMID: 20576359 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2010.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2010] [Revised: 05/18/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The appearance of skin is crucial for our physical and psychological integrity, and is strongly associated with our emotional self-awareness. Burn victims have to cope with negative and even threatening sensations resulting from the changed appearance of their skin after injury and also linked to experiences during the treatment. The aim of this study was to analyse differences regarding the emotional associations with skin in burn victims (burn group) to persons not having subdued any burn (control group). METHODS In the first instance over 960 volunteers were recruited for the rating of emotional associations with skin in the control group and thereby a representative profile for non-injured individuals. In the second part, 44 burn patients of the Vienna Burn Center answered the same questionnaire. The quantitative rating of emotional associations with skin was performed with a newly designed questionnaire using a semantic differential on eight dimensions with a 5-point scale system. RESULTS Both groups have positive associations with skin. One significant difference (p=0.0090, Chi-square test for trend) was the overall rating of the item "importance": for burn victims skin is more "important" than for controls. Patients with visible burns tended to put more emphasize on the possible exposure to danger ("threatened") of skin, and patients with >/=20% TBSA rated skin as more "noticeable" and "strong" as compared to small burns (<20% TBSA). Patients with burns to the face, hands and neck ("visible burns") were more likely to judge skin as threatened item. DISCUSSION Our poll suggests that despite long treatment, rehabilitation and even near-death experiences burn patients continue to have positive associations with skin. This in turn, should encourage all specialists dealing with burns to engage in a continuous follow-up as well as enhance psychological and social support.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Titscher
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vienna Burn Centre, Department of Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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