Epidemiology of Burns in Eastern Slovakia (2014-2024)

Burn injuries remain a major global health issue, and despite multidisciplinary advances, mortality among patients with major burns remains substantial. Preventive measures have reduced incidence worldwide; however, demographic and societal changes over recent decades warrant reassessment. We therefore analyzed recent trends in burn incidence requiring tertiary-care hospitalization between 2014 and 2024. A retrospective observational study was conducted including all patients with acute burn injuries admitted to the sole tertiary burn center serving Eastern Slovakia between 2014 and 2024. Annual incidence rates per 100 000 inhabitants were calculated using census-based regional population data and stratified by age and sex. A total of 2346 patients were hospitalized (62% male; median age 25 years; IQR 2-55). Scalds predominated (55%), followed by flame burns (25%). Median burn size was 9% TBSA; inhalation injury occurred in 4.1%, and 3.9% were work-related. The median annual incidence was 12.95 per 100 000 (IQR 11.78-13.85), increasing from 9.41 in 2014 to 15.42 in 2024 (incidence rate ratio 1.64; 95% CI, 1.34-2.01). Male annual incidence remained higher than female (median 16.3 vs 9.4 per 100 000). Infants (0-1 year) comprised 22% of admissions, with the highest annual incidence among all age groups (median 119 per 100 000). The incidence of burn injuries requiring tertiary-care admission in Eastern Slovakia increased over the past decade, particularly among males and infants. These findings highlight the need for targeted preventive strategies focusing on domestic scald injuries and early childhood safety.