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Self-inflicted burns in Athens, Greece: a six-year retrospective study
Evangelia Tsati1, Thomais Iconomou, Despina Tzivaridou
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery and Burn Center, General State Hospital of Athens G. Gennimatas, Greece.
The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation
|January 11, 2005
Summary
Self-inflicted burns are a serious issue, with a high mortality rate of 75.4% in Athens, Greece. This study highlights the need for integrated psychiatric care for burn patients attempting suicide.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Public health
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Self-inflicted burns pose significant social and medical challenges.
- Understanding the epidemiology and outcomes of these injuries is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology, mortality, and etiology of suicide attempts by burning in Athens, Greece.
- To analyze patient demographics, burn severity, and pre-existing conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of medical charts from a Burn Center in Athens.
- Inclusion of 53 patients with self-inflicted burns over a 6-year period (1997-2003).
- Analysis of age, sex, total body surface area (TBSA) burned, and mortality rates.
Main Results:
- Self-inflicted burns accounted for 3.69% of all burn admissions (53 out of 1435 patients).
- The mean age was 53.5 years, with females comprising 57% of the cohort.
- High mortality rate (75.4%) was observed, with a mean TBSA burned of 41.6%.
- Pre-existing psychiatric disorders were noted in 43.3% of patients.
Conclusions:
- The severity of burn injuries and patient non-compliance contribute to the high mortality.
- Burn care professionals must recognize self-inflicted burns as a significant cause of major burns.
- These patients require continuous psychiatric support alongside specialized burn care.