Epidemiological trends and risk factors in major burns patients in South Korea: a 10-year experience

To determine epidemiological trends among burns patients admitted to our burns center during 2003-2012, and the usefulness of the Abbreviated Burns Severity Index (ABSI) for predicting burns-related mortality.

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 4481 burns patients. We analyzed the epidemiological trends and ABSI scores using Student t-test and one-way analysis of variance (continuous variables), chi-square test (categorical variables) and stepwise logistic-regression analysis (predictors of mortality).

The mean age and male-to-female ratio were 39.9±19.7 years and 2.88, respectively. ABSI scores decreased from 7.7±3.0 in 2003 to 6.9±3.0 in 2012. Mortality rate improved from 24.5% in 2003 to 15.8% in 2012. Burns were caused by flames (67.3%), scalding (22.0%) and electrical (7.5%), chemical (1.6%) and contact (1.5%) injuries. Scalding and flames were the most common causes in patients aged ≤20 years and ≥21 years, respectively. Female sex, inhalation injury, full-thickness burns, large total body surface area (TBSA) burned and old age predicted mortality. ABSI scores <4 and >14 were associated with 0.7% and >90% mortality, respectively.

The mortality of major burns has decreased but remains high. ABSI scores predict burns-related mortality.