Are burns a chronic condition? Examining patient reported outcomes up to 20 years after burn injury—A burn model system national database investigation

Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J89472

Journal:

Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2022 , 92, 6, 1066-1074

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study examined the physical and mental health, satisfaction with life, and community integration of burn survivors up to 20 years after injury. Data were obtained from the Burn Model System National Longitudinal Database (1993-2020). Patient-reported outcome measures were collected at discharge (preinjury status recall) and 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, and 20 years after injury. Outcomes examined were the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). Trajectories were developed using linear mixed models with repeated measures of outcome scores over time, controlling for demographic and clinical variables. The study population included 421 adult burn survivors with a mean age of 42.4 years. Lower PCS scores (worse health) were associated with longer length of hospital stay, older age at injury, and greater time since injury. Similarly, lower MCS scores were associated with longer length of hospital stay, female sex, and greater time since injury. SWLS scores decreased negatively over time. Lower CIQ scores were associated with burn size and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. Burn survivors' physical and mental health and satisfaction with life worsened over time up to 20 years after injury. Results strongly suggest that future studies should focus on long-term follow-up where clinical interventions may be necessary.

Author(s):