Epidemiology of Burns: A Decade Experience - Abstract
Introduction: One of the most important causes of morbidity, disability and death in the developing world is Burn injury that also affects psychosocial and functional aspects of patients. Burn injury is an important yet under-researched area in Pakistan. The present `study is designed to document the prevalent epidemiological pattern and outcome of burn injuries over a decade period at country first national Burn Care Centre established at Islamabad to generate evidence based strategies to address the issue in national perspective.
Methodology: This study includes retrospective data analysis of patients conducted over a 10 year period from 1st January 2008- 1st October 2017 at Burn Care Centre (BCC) Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. Total patients managed in the burn care centre were 94664. Study includes all the cases presented primarily and managed at the centre. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistical tests were conducted. Ethical approval for the study was provided by Hospital Ethical Committee of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad.
Results: Total patients managed in the burn care centre were 94664. Out of the total 54% were males and 46 were females. Children of age group 2-12 year were the most affected group with 51.29%.patients. Flame burns were the commonest type 51.1% among all age group and both gender. The household environment constitutes the commonest site of burn 71.3%.The mean total body surface area (TBSA) for children managed on outdoor basis was 5.1 ± 5% and for adults 10.64 ± 8% overall, while ±for the admitted patients the mean TBSA was 36.5 ± 18%. Most of the burns were partial thickness mixed superficial and deep 63%. The frequency of burn increased by 20% in winter seasons. Most patients belonged to low socioeconomic status. All indoor as well as outdoor patients were treated free of cost. Among the hospitalized patients the mortality
rate was 26%. The overall mortality rate was 2.8% when projected to the entire study sample.
Conclusion: Our data provides the epidemiological pattern of burn injuries in Pakistan and highlights the gravity of this major public health issue. More tertiary care regional burn centres in cities, and burn units and burn wards in rural areas should be established. More research and advancement as well as a survey at national level in this neglected field is mandatory to decrease morbidity and mortality in our population.