Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Prognostic indicators in the elderly patient with burns

D S Covington1, D J Wainwright, D H Parks

  • 1University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 77030, USA.

The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation
|May 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Elderly burn patients face higher mortality, especially over 75. Pre-existing health issues and multiple complications significantly increase death risk and prolonged hospital stays in this vulnerable population.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Use of an acellular allograft dermal matrix (AlloDerm) in the management of full-thickness burns.

Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries·1995
Same author

Changing patterns in the epidemiology and treatment of zygoma fractures: 10-year review.

The Journal of trauma·1994
Same author

The treatment of nasal valve obstruction.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery·1994
Same author

Delayed spinal cord damage and a unilateral macular hole following electrical trauma.

Injury·1994
Same author

Streptozotocin and alloxan are comparable agents in the diabetic model of impaired wound healing.

Diabetes research (Edinburgh, Scotland)·1993
Same author

Hydrofluoric acid burns.

American family physician·1992

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Burn Surgery
  • Trauma Care

Background:

  • Elderly burn patients present unique clinical challenges.
  • Aging impacts physiological reserve and healing capacity.
  • Pre-existing conditions and post-burn complications are critical factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of preinjury health, injury mechanisms, and postinjury complications on survival in elderly burn patients.
  • To identify predictors of poor outcomes in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 252 burn patients aged 55 and older over 12 years.
  • Patients categorized into four age groups (55-65, 66-75, 76-85, 86-96).
  • Analysis of demographic data, premorbid conditions, burn characteristics, management, complications, and survival.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Mortality significantly increased in patients over 75 (60.1% vs. 33.9%).
  • Two or more preinjury health problems correlated with higher complications (65.4%) and death (53.0%).
  • Multiple post-hospitalization complications drastically reduced survival (28.0% vs. 60.8%).
  • Older patients (Group IV) had higher infection rates (76.2%) and 100% mortality with sepsis.
  • Lower respiratory tract infections were most common (24.6%), leading to sepsis (15.1%) and death (13.1%).

Conclusions:

  • Age over 75, multiple pre-existing health conditions, and post-burn complications are significant predictors of mortality in elderly burn patients.
  • Infections, particularly lower respiratory tract infections, pose a severe threat.
  • Identifying these predictors can improve treatment strategies and family counseling for elderly burn victims.