Epidemiological analysis of burn patients in the military hospital, Rabat, Morocco

A retrospective study was conducted of burn patients admitted to the military hospital in Rabat, Morocco, in the 6-yr period from 2004 to 2009. This is the first multivariate study to be performed in Morocco. The epidemiological data from the 291 patients hospitalized were collected and studied. The type of burn was indicated in 284 of the patients: 94% of the injuries were thermal burns, 4% were electrical burns, and 1.5% chemical burns. In 261 cases the exact aetiology was noted: 56% of accidents were caused by flames, 38% by hot liquids, 4% by electric current, and 2% by chemicals. The distribution of the Moroccan population is as follows: 0-4 yr, 7%; 5-l4 yr, 8%; 15-19 yr, 8%; 20-59 yr, 70%; over 60 yr, 7%. The male/female sex ratio was 1.63. The mean duration of hospitalization stay was 42 ± 62 days. The mean body surface area burned was 21 ± 18%. Total mortality was 5%; 57% of deaths were due to septic shock. Our results were similar to data from other studies in the literature, with certain characteristics in our series, especially the age bracket most affected, the body surface area burned, and the mechanisms of injury.