Quantitative threshold changes in cutaneous sensation of patients with burns

Decreased cutaneous sensation is common after burn injury. This study was designed to quantitate threshold sensory loss with the use of a microcomputer-based sensory testing device that generated precisely controlled stimuli. Threshold evaluations of two-point discrimination, pinprick, warming, touch, and vibration were performed on patients with burns (n = 16) and on control subjects (n = 42). All threshold measures in patients with burns were elevated above those for control subjects; threshold measures that reached statistical significance were two-point discrimination, warming, touch, and vibration. Unburned sites on patients with burns had higher thresholds than sites on control subjects, though only vibration was significant. A significant correlation was found between the magnitude of touch and vibration thresholds in control subjects, but there was no similar correlation found in patients with burns. When controls for age were applied, touch and vibration thresholds remained significantly elevated above control levels, and decreases in significance for two-point discrimination and warming were noted. It was concluded that sensory function is reduced in patients with burns. Alternative mechanisms that may have caused the sensory changes were discussed.