Recovery Trajectories After Burn Injury in Young Adults: Does Burn Size Matter?
Model System:
BurnReference Type:
JournalAccession No.:
J70745Journal:
Journal of Burn Care & Research
Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):
, 36, 1, 118-129Publication Website:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25501787/Abstract:
Study examined the relationship between long-term functional recovery and total body surface area (TBSA) burned. Data were analyzed for 147 burned subjects who completed the Young Adult Burn Outcome Questionnaire at initial baseline contact, 2 weeks, and at 6 and 12 months after initial questionnaire administration. One hundred twelve non-burned adults of comparable ages also completed the questionnaire as a reference group. Functional status was characterized in 15 domains. Examination of effect of burn size on recovery over time was performed by comparing patients with small burn size (TBSA <20 percent) to those with large burn size (TBSA =20 percent). Mean TBSA was 11 percent. The lag time from burn injury to questionnaire administration was on average 7 months, with a maximum of 36 months. Lower recovery levels were associated with increasing burn size for physical function, pain, itch, work reintegration, emotion, satisfaction with symptom relief, satisfaction with role, family function, and family concern. No significant differences in recovery levels were found with increasing burn size for fine motor function, social function limited by physical function, sexual function, and religion; these areas tracked toward the age-matched non-burned group regardless of burn size. Perceived appearance and social function limited by appearance remained below the non-burn levels throughout the 3-year period regardless of burn size. Three-year recovery trajectories of survivors with larger burn size showed improvements in most areas, but these improvements lagged behind those with smaller burns. Poor perceived appearance was persistent and prevalent regardless of burn size and was found to limit social function in these young adult burn survivors.
Author(s):
Ryan, Colleen M., Lee, Austin, Kazis, Lewis E., Schneider, Jeffrey C., Shapiro, Gabriel D., Sheridan, Robert L., Meyer, Walter J., Palmieri, Tina, Pidcock, Frank S., Reilly, Debra, Tompkins, Ronald G.