Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
-
This study assessed patient-perceived levels of scar assessment and burn-specific quality of life (QOL) in Korean burn patients admitted to burn care centers and identified differences in scar assessment and QOL based on various patient characteristics. ⋯ The results show that burn subjects experience the most difficulties with their work and the treatment regimen. Subjects with severe burn and visible scarring have a reduced QOL and a poor scar status. Scar management intervention may improve QOL of burn patients especially those with severe burn and visible scars. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the relationship between scar assessment and QOL.
-
Severe burns induce a complex systemic inflammatory response characterized by a typical prolonged acute phase response (APR) that starts approximately 4-8h after-burn and persists for months up to a year after the initial burn trauma. During this APR, acute phase proteins (APPs), including C-reactive protein (CRP) and complement (e.g. ⋯ Although the APR is necessary for proper wound healing, a prolonged APR can induce local tissue damage, hamper the healing process and cause negative systemic effects in several organs, including the heart, lungs, kidney and the central nervous system. In this review, we will discuss the role of the APR in burns with a specific focus on complement.
-
Posttraumatic growth is positive psychological change that occurs beyond pre-trauma levels. Understanding the relationship between growth, stress and quality of life after burn improves understanding about the nature of postburn psychological growth and associated quality of life factors. This study aimed to determine the nature of these relationships, and whether posttraumatic growth changed over time in individuals. ⋯ This supports the concept that PTG is linked to coping as higher growth is reported with more stress, and that depression is a barrier to growth. As patients recover both physically and mentally from burn, less growth is reported. Early identification and management of depression is important to optimise growth outcomes.
-
Ongoing increases in the prevalence of substance misuse among burn-injured patients necessitate a contemporary analysis of the association between substance misuse and clinical outcomes in burn-injured adults. ⋯ A history of substance misuse is associated with an increased risk of inpatient complications and longer hospital stay. Providers should be cognizant of increased complications in this cohort with a view to improving outcomes.