Strength of association between body mass index and physical function scores in paediatric burn patients: A national institute on disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research burn model system study

Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J89471

Journal:

Burns

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2022 , 48, 4, 824-832.

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) at discharge and self-reported physical function (PF) and caregiver proxy-reported PF during recovery of burned children. PF outcome measures were self-reported mobility, proxy-reported mobility, and upper extremity PF evaluated using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures at 6, 12, and 24 months after injury. Primary exposure variable was BMI-for-age at discharge. A total of 118 pediatric patients, average age 11.7 years, with burns covering an average of 37.6 percent of their total body surface area, and mean BMI-for-age of 23.1 kilograms per meter squared at discharge, were analyzed. BMI at discharge was not significantly associated with self-reported mobility scores 6 months after burn, had a positive effect on mobility at 12 months, and no effect at 24 months after injury, when adjusted for burn size. BMI did not have a significant effect on proxy-reported mobility or upper extremity PF. A greater BMI at discharge was associated with improved self-reported PF at 12 months after burn but not at 6 months or 24 months, which suggests a faster recovery of PF in pediatric patients of larger body weight. The findings suggest that a larger body weight does not compromise the recovery of PF after burn.

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