Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Burn scar contractures limit range of motion (ROM) of joints and have substantial impact on disability and the quality of life (QoL) of patients, particularly in a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) setting. Studies on the long-term outcome are lacking globally; this study describes the long-term impact of contracture release surgery performed in an LMIC. ⋯ Contracture release surgery performed in an LMIC significantly improved functional ROM, disability and QoL. Results showed that regaining a functional joint is associated with less disability and higher QoL.
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Burn scars can attract attention from others which can be perceived as stigmatizing behavior with negative psychological consequences. The Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire (PSQ) is a validated instrument measuring the perception of stigmatization in burn survivors. The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the PSQ, specifically its factor structure, reliability, and associations with other relevant constructs. ⋯ The current study shows acceptable reliability and structural validity of the Dutch version of the PSQ in a 4-factor solution. Further research into measurement invariance across languages is recommended to establish a uniform multicultural instrument.
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While the acute management of burn injury has received substantial attention, patients may undergo additional hospital based, acute care following initial management. We conducted this study to quantify and describe patients' full hospital based, acute care needs within 30 days following an acute burn injury. ⋯ Hospital based, acute care encounters are common after initial burn management. Further efforts are needed to improve the transition to outpatient care.
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Burn is a major trauma that causes physical and psychosocial impairments, leading to sleep disorders. However, the data about risks for sleep disorders in patients over 3 years following burn injury are limited. ⋯ Burn had long-term negative effects on sleep during both the first year of burn injury and the subsequent follow-up 14 years. It is important for physicians to long-term assess the sleep quality of burn patients regardless of the number of years after burn injury.
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Patients with severe burns often show systemic coagulation changes in the early stage and even develop extensive coagulopathy. Previous studies have confirmed that soluble TREM-like transcript-1 (sTLT-1) mediates a novel mechanism of haemostasis and thrombosis in inflammatory vascular injury. At present, the role of sTLT-1 in patients with severe burns is not well known. ⋯ Low sTLT-1 levels at 48 h after burn in patients with severe burns is associated with increased coagulation disorders. Low circulating sTLT-1 levels were an independent predictor of increased 30-day mortality.