Inclusion of coexisting morbidity in a TBSA% and age based model for the prediction of mortality after burns does not increase its predictive power

Frailty as a sequela of burn injury: a post hoc analysis of the "RE-ENERGIZE" multicenter randomized-controlled trial and the National Health Interview Survey

BACKGROUND

With advancements in burn treatment and intensive care leading to decreased mortality rates, a growing cohort of burn survivors is emerging. These individuals may be susceptible to frailty, characterized by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors commonly associated with aging, which significantly complicates their recovery process. To date, no study has investigated burns as a potential risk factor for frailty. This study aimed to determine the short-term prevalence of frailty among burn survivors' months after injury and compare it with that of the general population.

METHODS

A post hoc analysis was conducted on the Randomized Trial of Enteral Glutamine to Minimize the Effects of Burn Injury (RE-ENERGIZE) trial, an international randomized-controlled trial involving 1200 burn injury patients with partial- or full-thickness burns. Participants who did not complete the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire were excluded. Data for the general population were obtained from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL (Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness, Loss of weight) scale. Due to lack of data on loss of weight, for the purposes of this study, malnutrition was used as the fifth variable. Illness and malnutrition were based on admission data, while fatigue, resistance, and ambulation were determined from post-discharge responses to the SF-36. The burn cohort and general population groups were matched using propensity score matching and compared in terms of frailty status. Within the burn group, patients were divided into different subgroups based on their frailty status, and the differences in their (instrumental) activities of daily living (iADL and ADL) were compared. A multivariable analysis was performed within the burn cohort to identify factors predisposing to frailty as well as compromised iADL and ADL.

RESULTS

Out of the 1200 burn patients involved in the study, 600 completed the required questionnaires [follow-up time: (5.5 ± 2.3) months] and were matched to 1200 adults from the general population in the U.S. In comparison to the general population, burn patients exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of being pre-frail (42.3% vs. 19.8%, P < 0.0001), or frail (13.0% vs. 1.0%, P < 0.0001). When focusing on specific components, burn patients were more prone to experiencing fatigue (25.8% vs. 13.5%, P < 0.0001), limited resistance (34.0% vs. 2.7%, P < 0.0001), and restricted ambulation (41.8% vs. 3.8%, P < 0.0001). Conversely, the incidence rate of illness was observed to be higher in the general population (1.2% vs. 2.8%, P = 0.03), while no significant difference was detected regarding malnutrition (2.3% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.75). Furthermore, in comparison with robust burn patients, it was significantly more likely for pre-frail and frail patients to disclose compromise in ADL and iADL. The frail cohort reported the most pronounced limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest a higher incidence of post-discharge frailty among burn survivors in the short-term following injury. Burn survivors experience compromised fatigue, resistance, and ambulation, while rates of illness and malnutrition were lower or unchanged, respectively. These results underscore the critical need for early identification of frailty after a burn injury, with timely and comprehensive involvement of a multidisciplinary team including burn and pain specialists, community physicians, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and social workers. This collaborative effort can ensure holistic care to address and mitigate frailty in this patient population.

European Burns Association guidelines for the management of burn mass casualty incidents within a European response plan

BACKGROUND

A European response plan to burn mass casualty incidents has been jointly developed by the European Commission and the European Burn Association. Upon request for assistance by an affected country, the plan outlines a mechanism for coordinated international assistance, aiming to alleviate the burden of care in the affected country and to offer adequate specialized care to all patients who can benefit from it. To that aim, Burn Assessment Teams are deployed to assess and triage patients. Their transportation priority recommendations are used to distribute outnumbering burn casualties to foreign burn centers. Following an appropriate medical evacuation, these casualties receive specialized care in those facilities.

METHODS

The European Burns Association's disaster committee developed medical-organizational guidelines to support this European plan. The experts identified fields of interest, defined questions to be addressed, performed relevant literature searches, and added their expertise in burn disaster preparedness and response. Due to the lack of high-level evidence in the available literature, recommendations and specially designed implementation tools were provided from expert opinion. The European Burns Association officially endorsed the draft recommendations in 2019, and the final full text was approved by the EBA executive committee in 2022.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The resulting 46 recommendations address four fields. Field 1 underlines the need for national preparedness plans and the necessary core items within such plans, including coordination and integration with an international response. Field 2 describes Burn Assessment Teams' roles, composition, training requirements, and reporting goals. Field 3 addresses the goals of specialized in-hospital triage, appropriate severity criteria, and their effects on priorities and triage. Finally, field 4 covers medical evacuations, including their timing and organization, the composition of evacuation teams and their assets, preparation, and the principles of en route care.

Short-term and long-term increased mortality in elderly patients with burn injury: a national longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

The population of elderly patients with burn injuries is growing. Insight into long-term mortality rates of elderly after burn injury and predictors affecting outcome is limited. This study aimed to provide this information.

METHODS

A multicentre observational retrospective cohort study was conducted in all three Dutch burn centres. Patients aged ≥65 years, admitted with burn injuries between 2009 and 2018, were included. Data were retrieved from electronic patient records and the Dutch Burn Repository R3. Mortality rates and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess predictors for in-hospital mortality and mortality after discharge at 1 year and five-year. Survival analysis was used to assess predictors of five-year mortality.

RESULTS

In total, 682/771 admitted patients were discharged. One-year and five-year mortality rates were 8.1 and 23.4%. The SMRs were 1.9(95%CI 1.5-2.5) and 1.4(95%CI 1.2-1.6), respectively. The SMRs were highest in patients aged 75-80 years at 1 year (SMRs 2.7, 95%CI 1.82-3.87) and five-year in patients aged 65-74 years (SMRs 10.1, 95%CI 7.7-13.0). Independent predictors for mortality at 1 year after discharge were higher age (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.0-1.1), severe comorbidity, (ASA-score ≥ 3) (OR 4.8, 95%CI 2.3-9.7), and a non-home discharge location (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.1-3.8). The relative risk of dying up to five-year was increased by age (HR 1.1, 95%CI 1.0-1.1), severe comorbidity (HR 2.3, 95%CI 1.6-3.5), and non-home discharge location (HR 2.1, 95%CI 1.4-3.2).

CONCLUSION

Long-term mortality until five-year after burn injury was higher than the age and sex-matched general Dutch population, and predicted by higher age, severe comorbidity, and a non-home discharge destination. Next to pre-injury characteristics, potential long-lasting systemic consequences on biological mechanisms following burn injuries probably play a role in increased mortality. Decreased health status makes patients more prone to burn injuries, leading to early death.

Acute burn care and outcomes at the Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV), Timor-Leste: A 7-year retrospective study

The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of patients presenting with acute burns and undergoing admission at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV) in Dili, Timor-Leste in the period 2013 to 2019. HNGV is the only tertiary referral hospital in Timor-Leste. This was a retrospective study involving all acute burn patients admitted to the surgical wards of HNGV from 2013 to 2019. The data was collected from patient charts and hospital medical archives. Data were reviewed and analyzed statistically in terms of age, gender, residence, cause, total body surface area (TBSA), burns depth, length of stay (LOS), and mortality. The outcomes were analyzed using logistic regression. Over the 7-year period, there were 288 acute burn patients admitted to the surgical wards of HNGV. Most patients were children (55%), male (65%) and from the capital city of Dili or surrounding areas (59%). The most common cause of burns in children was scalds and the most common cause among adults was flames. Of the admitted patients 59% had burns affecting >10% of the TBSA and 41% had full thickness burns. The median LOS was 17 days (1-143) and the average mortality for admitted burn patients in HNGV was 5.6% (annual mortality 0-17%). The odds ratio for extended LOS was 1.9 (95% confidence interval 1.1-3.2) in female compared with male patients. The odds ratio for mortality was 14.6 (95% confidence interval 2.7-80.6) in the older adults when compared with younger adults. Higher TBSA, full thickness burns, and flame burns were also significantly associated with longer LOS and higher mortality. Children and male patients were disproportionately overrepresented among patients admitted to HNGV, while female patients had longer LOS and older adults had more severe injury and a higher risk of mortality. Establishment of a national program for the prevention of burns is essential.

Predicting and Estimating Burn Outcomes: An Institutional Analysis of 4622 cases

Advances in burn care have improved patient outcomes, and independently validated indices and predictors of burn outcomes warrant re-evaluation. The purpose of this study is to consolidate predictors of burn outcomes and determine the factors that significantly contribute to length-of-stay (LOS) and mortality. A retrospective review was conducted of all burn patients (n=5778) admitted to a quaternary provincial burn unit from 1973 to 2017. Our inclusion criteria yielded 4622 independent cases. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were generated, and area-under-receiver-operator-curve (AUROC) analysis was performed. Burn predictors included %TBSA, Baux (classic and revised) index, Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI), and Ryan score. Primary outcomes were mortality and LOS. Multivariate logistic regression for mortality showed the Baux index to be the best predictor for mortality (OR=1.11, p<0.001). The AUROC for Baux index was 0.95. With regards to LOS, ABSI was the best predictor for LOS (p<0.001). ICU stay, ventilator use, alcoholism, age, significantly associated with increased LOS. Interestingly, hypertension had a protective effect for LOS (p<0.01) and trended towards a protective effect in mortality. Lethal score 50% (LS50) improved over the study period. The regressions show that burn mortality and LOS are best predicted with the Baux index and ABSI, respectively. Hypertension may have a protective effect on burn outcomes and may be attributed to increased perfusion to the periphery. These predictive scores are useful in determining institutional outcomes in burn surgery. Objective benchmarking of improvement in burn care outcomes can be established using LS50 trends.

Impact Assessment of Lean Product Development and Lean Startup Methodology on Information Technology Startups’ Performance

This research aims to evaluate the impact of lean product development (LPD) and lean startup (LS) practices on startup performance. A survey with 114 responses from Brazilian startups in the Information Technology sector evaluated the direct effects of LPD and LS on organizational performance, as well as the potential cross-effects between them. The assumptions were validated using a structural equation modeling for data analysis, which confirms that the adoption of these methodologies has a positive significant impact on startup performance, especially the practices involving teamwork and the design of minimum viable products.

Nonmedical Factors Influencing Early Deaths in Burns: A Study of the National Burn Repository

It is well-established that survival in burn injury is primarily dependent on three factors: age, percent total-body surface area burned (%TBSA), and inhalation injury. However, it is clear that in other (nonburn) conditions, nonmedical factors may influence mortality. Even in severe burns, patients undergoing resuscitation may survive for a period of time before succumbing to infection or other complications. In some cases, though, families in conjunction with caregivers may choose to withdraw care and not resuscitate patients with large burns. We wanted to investigate whether any nonmedical socioeconomic factors influenced the rate of early deaths in burn patients. The National Burn Repository (NBR) was used to identify patients that died in the first 72 hours after injury and those that survived more than 72 hours. Both univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to examine factors including age, gender, race, comorbidities, burn size, inhalation injury, and insurance type, and determine their influence on deaths within 72 hours. A total of 133,889 burn patients were identified, 1362 of which died in the first 72 hours. As expected, the Baux score (age plus burn size), and inhalation injury predicted early deaths. Interestingly, on multivariate analysis, patients with Medicare (p = .002), self-pay patients (p < .001), and those covered by automobile policies (p = .045) were significantly more likely to die early than those with commercial insurance. Medicaid patients were more likely to die early, but not significantly (p = .188). Worker's compensation patients were more likely to survive the first 72 hours compared with patients with commercial insurance (p < .001). Men were more likely to survive the early period than women (p = .043). On analysis by race, only Hispanic patients significantly differed from white patients, and Hispanics were more likely to survive the first 72 hours (p = .028). Traditional medical factors are major factors in early burn deaths. However, these results show that nonmedical socioeconomic factors including race, gender, and especially insurance status influence early burn deaths as well.

Patient Reported Experiences at a Swedish National Burn Centre

Previous studies have shown that burn patients were satisfied with the received care. Satisfaction was not strongly associated to burns or to psycho-social characteristics, suggesting that other factors, related to burn care specific aspects, may be important. The aim of this study was to analyze the independent effect of provided workload on the general satisfaction in adult patients at a Swedish national Burn Centre. The study population (n = 122) included patients ≥18 years, treated at the Linköping Burn Centre between 2016 and 2017. Experienced burn care was evaluated with the PS-RESKA survey (score range: 0–4), and provided workload was scored with the Burn Scoring System (BSC). Groups were compared with χ ² test, MW test, or Fisher´s exact test. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed the independent effect of BSC on the outcome High Satisfaction (= score ≥3 to the survey-question: “How would you score your global experience at the Burn Centre?”). In-patients (n = 60) had more often larger burns and required more workload than out-patients (median[IQR]: TBSA% = 6.3 [3–12.3] % vs. 0.7 [0.3–2] %, p < .001; BSC = 65 [25.5–135.5] vs. 6 [4–9], p < .001). Both groups were highly satisfied with the experienced care (mean score [SD] = 3.68 [0.57] vs. 3.41 [0.77], p = .03). Neither characteristics of the patients (age, sex), nor TBSA% nor provided workload (BSC) were independently associated with High Satisfaction. Regardless of burn severity, demographics and provided workload, adult patients with burns were highly satisfied with the experienced burn care. This finding suggested that the reason of the satisfaction was multifactorial.

Factors associated with acute kidney injury in the Helsinki Burn Centre in 2006-2015

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in severe burns and can lead to significantly poorer outcomes. Although the prognosis has improved in recent decades, the mortality of AKI remains considerable. We investigated the factors that increase the risk of AKI and death after severe burn injury.

METHODS

Intensive care patients with ≥20% burned total body surface area (TBSA%) between January 2006 and December 2015 treated in Helsinki Burn Centre were enrolled retrospectively. Patients who arrived > 36 h after burn injury or died < 48 h from arrival were excluded. A total of 187 patients were included in the final analysis. Serum creatinine ≥120 μmol/l (1.4 mg/dl) was the criterion for AKI.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients (27.3%) developed AKI during hospital stay and 21 (11.2%) required renal replacement therapy (RRT); 37 patients (19.8%) died during hospital stay. Mortality was significantly higher in the AKI group (52.9%) than in the AKI-negative group (7.4%). The Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI), Baux, and the modified Baux score were nearly equivalent in predicting mortality during ICU stay (AUC: 0.83-0.84). The risk of death and AKI were minimal with Baux scores < 80. LD₅₀ was 112 for Baux score in all patients. In flame burns, the risk of death increased rapidly after Baux score > 80. Multivariate logistic regression model detected age, TBSA%, sepsis, and rhabdomyolysis as independent risk factors for AKI. Age (per 10 yrs. OR 1.99), TBSA% (per 10% OR 1.64), and AKI predicted mortality during hospital stay; AKI had an odds ratio of (OR) of 5.97 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-16.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Age, TBSA%, and AKI were the strongest independent factors in predicting outcome in severe burns. Even a major burn (> 50% TBSA) has a relatively good prognosis without simultaneous AKI. Prognosis is poorer even in minor burns for patients with AKI.

Multi-institutional analysis of independent predictors for burn mortality in the United States

Background

Previous reports individually identified different factors that predict death after burns. The authors employed the multi-center American Burn Association's (ABA) National Burn Repository (NBR) to elucidate which parameters have the highest negative impact on burn mortality.

Methods

We audited data from the NBR v8.0 for the years 2002-2011 and included 137,061 patients in our study. The cases were stratified into two cohorts based on the primary outcome of death/survival and then evaluated for demographic data, intraoperative details, and their morbidity after admission. A multivariable regression analysis aimed to identify independent risk factors associated with mortality.

Results

A total of 3.3% of patients in this analysis did not survive their burn injuries. Of those, 52.0% expired within 7 days after admission. Patients in the mortality cohort were of older age (p < 0.001), more frequently female (p < 0.001), and had more pre-existing comorbidities (p < 0.001). Total body surface area (TBSA), inhalation injury, hospitalization time, and occurrence of complications were higher compared to survivors (p < 0.001). Lack of insurance (odds ratio (OR) = 1.84, confidence interval (CI) 1.38-2.46), diabetes (OR = 1.24, CI 1.01-1.53), any complication (OR = 4.09, CI 3.27-5.12), inhalation injury (OR = 3.84, CI 3.38-4.36), and the need for operative procedures (OR = 2.60, CI 2.20-3.08) were the strongest independent contributors to mortality after burns (p < 0.001). Age (OR = 1.07, CI 1.06-1.07) and TBSA (OR = 1.09, CI 1.09-1.09) were significant on a continuous scale (p < 0.001) while overall comorbidities were not a statistical risk factor.

Conclusion

Uninsured status, inhalation injury, in-hospital complications, and operative procedures were the strongest mortality predictors after burns. Since most fatal outcomes (52.0%) occur within 7 days after injury, physicians and medical staff need to be aware of these risk factors upon patient admission to a burn center.

Are there any differences in the provided burn care between men and women? A retrospective study

Background

Disparity between medical treatment for men and women has been recorded worldwide. However, it is difficult to find out if the disparities in both the use of resources and outcome depend entirely on sex-related discrimination. Our aim was to investigate if there are differences in burn treatments between the sexes.

Methods

All patients admitted with burns to Linköping University Hospital during the 16-year period 2000–2015 were included. Interventions were prospectively recorded using the validated Burn SCoring system (BSC). Data were analysed using a multivariable panel regression model adjusted for age, percentage total body surface area (%TBSA), and in-hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 1363 patients were included, who generated a total of 22,301 daily recordings while they were inpatients. Males were 70% (930/1363). Sex was not an independent factor for daily scores after adjustment for age, %TBSA, and mortality in hospital (model R²=0.60, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We found no evidence of inequity between the sexes in treatments given in our burn centre when we had adjusted for size of burn, age, and mortality. BSC seems to be an appropriate model in which to evaluate sex-related differences in the delivery of treatments.

Hyperphosphatemia is associated with high mortality in severe burns

Introduction

Phosphate level is often deranged during acute illness, regardless of the presence of kidney injury or not. A few studies described that hypophosphatemia may associated with outcome in patients admitted to the burn unit, but the literatures for hyperphosphatemia is limited. Our study aims to evaluate if hyperphosphatemia, one of the sign of severe tissue damage or kidney injury, will associate with mortality of patients with severe burns.

Materials and methods

The study was a post hoc analysis of prospectively collected data from patients admitted to the burn unit between September 2006 and December 2011. Patients were stratified into normophosphatemic or hyperphosphatemic group by baseline plasma phosphate level. The primary endpoint is 90-day mortality.

Results

Total 301 patients were included (hyperphosphatemia: n = 52; normophosphatemia: n = 249). The hyperphosphatemic group had lower Glasgow Coma Scale, mean arterial blood pressure, hemoglobin level, albumin, and higher TBSA of burns, APACHE II score, ABSI score, Acute kidney injury (AKI), and creatinine. The 90-day mortality was higher in the hyperphosphatemic group than in the normal group (53.8% vs 18.1%, P < .001) and this difference was still significant when adjusting for several confounding factors (hazard ratio, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.17–3.59). Multivariable Cox analysis showed risk factors of mortality included TBSA of burns, hyperphosphatemia, reduced urine output, and APACHE II score.

Conclusions

Our study found in addition to TBSA of burns and inhalation injury, baseline hyperphosphatemia in patients with severe burns is also associated with higher mortality.

Long-term survival after burns in a Swedish population

INTRODUCTION

As widely reported, the progress in burn care during recent decades has reduced the hospital mortality. The effect of the burns on long-term outcome has not received so much attention, and more study is indicated. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the long-time survival among patients who had been treated for burns.

METHODS

We studied 1487 patients who were discharged alive from the Linköping University Hospital Burn Centre during the period 1993 until the end of December 2012. We used Cox's regression analysis to study the effect of burns on long-term survival after adjustment for different factors.

RESULTS

Age and a full-thickness burn were significantly associated with mortality after discharge (p<0.001), whereas percentage of total body surface area burned (TBSA %), need for mechanical ventilation, and gender were not. Less than 1% of the patients with burns (13/1487) died within 30 days of discharge and a total of 176/1487 (12%) died during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Age and full-thickness burns reduce the long-time survival after discharge from the Burn Centre, whereas the effect of TBSA% and need for artificial ventilation ends with discharge.