Initial Laboratory Values Can Predict Mortality in Burn Patients

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Burn Care
• Clinical Pathology

Background:

• Existing burn scores for mortality prediction lack data on laboratory values.
• Admission laboratory derangements are understudied for their role in burn patient risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between admission laboratory values and mortality in burn patients.
• To determine if specific laboratory derangements can predict mortality risk.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of burn patients (partial/full thickness, TBSA > 15%) admitted between 2013-2019.
• Exclusion of patients with electrical burns, non-thermal conditions, or significant polytrauma.
• Analysis of admission serum phosphate, creatinine, albumin, and glucose levels in relation to mortality.

Main Results:

• 112 patients were analyzed; admission phosphate, creatinine, albumin, and glucose levels correlated with mortality.
• Non-survivors exhibited significantly different levels for phosphate, creatinine, albumin, and glucose compared to survivors.
• Abnormal serum levels were associated with markedly increased mortality rates for phosphate, creatinine, albumin, and glucose.

Conclusions:

• Specific laboratory abnormalities upon admission are linked to increased burn patient mortality.
• These findings provide a basis for developing new risk stratification tools for burn victims.
• Further research can refine the use of laboratory values in predicting outcomes for burn patients.