Cheng-I Yen1, Meng-Jiun Chiou2, Chang-Fu Kuo3, Han-Tsung Liao4. 1. Division of General Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 2. Center for Big Data Analytics and Statistics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 3. Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 4. College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Trauma Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Craniofacial Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Plastic Surgery, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, China. Electronic address: lia01211@cgmh.org.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Burns are not only major personal catastrophic events but also constitute a national health problem due to its associated morbidity, rehabilitation, mortality and high cost medical services. Advances in care and treatment have increased survival from major burn injury. However, information on the epidemiology and risk factors of burn mortality in Taiwan is limited. The study aim was to determine the nationwide epidemiological characteristics, trends, and mortality risk factors of burn inpatients in Taiwan. METHODS: This nationwide population-based study evaluated data retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. Patients hospitalized for burns (ICD-9-CM codes 940-949) between 2003 and 2013 were identified from hospitalization records. RESULTS: A total of 73,774 patients were included. The data showed increases in age, revised Baux score, and Charlson Comorbidity Index during the study period, but it was also accompanied by a continuing decrease in burn incidence and a significant shortening of the length of hospital stay. The average in-hospital mortality was 17.5/1000 in 2003 and 12.2/1000 in 2013 but did not showed significant change. Male gender, older age, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, presence of inhalation injury, large total burn surface area (TBSA), and higher revised Baux score were significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Population-based burn epidemiology data demonstrated ongoing improvement in hospital care during the past decade. Male gender, older age, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, presence of inhalation injury, large TBSA, and higher revised Baux score were significant predictors of mortality.
BACKGROUND: Burns are not only major personal catastrophic events but also constitute a national health problem due to its associated morbidity, rehabilitation, mortality and high cost medical services. Advances in care and treatment have increased survival from major burn injury. However, information on the epidemiology and risk factors of burn mortality in Taiwan is limited. The study aim was to determine the nationwide epidemiological characteristics, trends, and mortality risk factors of burn inpatients in Taiwan. METHODS: This nationwide population-based study evaluated data retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. Patients hospitalized for burns (ICD-9-CM codes 940-949) between 2003 and 2013 were identified from hospitalization records. RESULTS: A total of 73,774 patients were included. The data showed increases in age, revised Baux score, and Charlson Comorbidity Index during the study period, but it was also accompanied by a continuing decrease in burn incidence and a significant shortening of the length of hospital stay. The average in-hospital mortality was 17.5/1000 in 2003 and 12.2/1000 in 2013 but did not showed significant change. Male gender, older age, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, presence of inhalation injury, large total burn surface area (TBSA), and higher revised Baux score were significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Population-based burn epidemiology data demonstrated ongoing improvement in hospital care during the past decade. Male gender, older age, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, presence of inhalation injury, large TBSA, and higher revised Baux score were significant predictors of mortality.