Epidemiology of hospitalized burn patients during 5 years in Khuzestan province, Iran

ABSTRACT

Infection is one of the most common causes of complication in bum patients. A severe burn injury is not only a life-threatening problem for the burned patients, but it also may have serious financial effects on the patient and society. In a descriptive study, medical files of 6082 consecutive admissions for burn injury treated at Taleghani Burn Hospital over a five-year period were reviewed. The mean age of patients was 22.4 +/- 16.9 years and overall male to female ratio was 1.25. Burns were more common during winter [33.6%] [p<0.001]. Fire accident was the most common cause in all age groups [66.1%], except subjects aged less than 10 years. The percent of TBSA for burned patients ranged between 1% and 100% with a mean of 38.7 +/- 29.8%. There was a correlation between TBSA percentage and age [r=0.18%]. The mean and median hospital stay was 14 and 9 days, respectively, with a range of 1-311 days. There was a significant association between fire accident and hospital stay [p<0.001]. Of 6082 patients, 486 deaths were recorded [8%]. E. colt in urine culture and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in blood and wound culture were the most predominant isolated bacteria. Preventive programs for reducing the risk of burns are needed. Furthermore, high percentage of TBSA and mortality and the presence of multi-drugs resistance bacteria are major concerns in our hospital