Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Pharmacokinetics of drugs can be significantly altered in burn patients. The aim of our study was to validate if the current hospital-wide standard dosage of 7mg/kg total bodyweight gentamicin is sufficient to achieve an adequate prophylactic Cmax (Cmax≥20mg/L). ⋯ The current hospital-wide standard dosage of 7mg/kg total bodyweight is sufficient to achieve an adequate prophylactic Cmax in burn patients undergoing surgical burn wound treatment.
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Scalds have distinct epidemiological and predisposing risk factors amongst all types of burns. Though scald affects all age groups, the brunt falls on the minor age groups. It may result in major physical disabilities and significant loss of school years. Apart from the economic burden on family, major scald burn may compromise overall development of the affected children. Most of the scald injuries occur in domestic settings and are preventable. Despite improvement in living conditions, the incidence of scald burn has failed to decline. Our aim was to study the detailed epidemiology and severity of scald burn amongst all age groups. ⋯ This study concludes that the scald is injury of all age groups, though majority of them are children. The first aid is not given to large number of patients and late reporting is quite common. These are the factors which may affect the course of scald burn. Spreading public awareness regarding safe household practises and educating them for proper first aid management after scald may have significant impact on the burden of care and outcome.
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Fatigue has been identified as an outcome of concern following burn but is rarely captured in outcomes studies. We aimed to: (i) describe the prevalence, and predictors, of moderate to severe fatigue in the first 12 months following burn, and (ii) establish the association between fatigue and health-related quality of life and work outcomes. ⋯ More than a quarter of participants reported moderate to severe fatigue on the BFI at 12-months and fatigue was strongly associated with poorer health-related quality of life and greater work-related disability.
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Comparative Study
An analysis of deep vein thrombosis in burn patients (Part 1): Comparison of D-dimer and Doppler ultrasound as screening tools.
The high prevalence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) reported in prospective studies and the unreliability of clinical diagnosis mandates prospective screening for DVT in burn patients. Our study seeks to compare D-dimer and Doppler ultrasound (DUS) in search for a practical, inexpensive and a reliable screening tool. ⋯ We conclude that D-dimer is not a useful screening tool for DVT in burns contrary to its accepted value in general trauma and medical patients.