Atulya Prasad1, Henry C Thode1, Steven Sandoval2, Adam J Singer3. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, HSC-L4-080 Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8350, United States. 2. Department of Surgery, HSC-L19 Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, United States. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, HSC-L4-080 Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8350, United States. Electronic address: Adam.singer@stonybrook.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Itch after burn injury causes significant distress to patients and can hamper functional recovery. Itching can persist on a time scale ranging from several weeks to even years after injury. In this study, we sought to determine predictors of itching after burn injury. METHODS: We compared itch and pain severity among patients included in a burn registry at a level 1 trauma center. Both itch and pain severity was based on a 5-point scale. ANOVA, chi-squared, and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors of itch and pain severity. RESULTS: Of the 1159 patients enrolled in the registry, 58% were male and 42% female, with a median age (IQR) of 27 (8-47) years. Most patients were diagnosed with 2nd degree superficial (41%) or deep (43%) burns. Upper extremities were the most common location of burn injury (59%), followed by lower extremities (31%), trunk (22%), and face/neck (20%). More than half (53%) of enrolled patients reported itching, ranging from minimal (19%) to severe (7%) itching. Multivariate analyses revealed age, sex (female), extent of burn injuries, and location (face/neck) to be predictors of itch after burn. Predictors of pain after burn were slightly different: age, extent of burn, and depth of burn. CONCLUSION: Pain and itch after burn injuries are predicted by slightly different variables, presumably secondary to different underlying mechanisms. We conclude that age, sex (female), extent of burn injuries (total body surface area %), and injuries to the face/neck predict itching of greater severity. Patients with burn injuries that match these parameters would require greater care and closer follow up to reduce itching after healing.
INTRODUCTION:Itch after burn injury causes significant distress to patients and can hamper functional recovery. Itching can persist on a time scale ranging from several weeks to even years after injury. In this study, we sought to determine predictors of itching after burn injury. METHODS: We compared itch and pain severity among patients included in a burn registry at a level 1 trauma center. Both itch and pain severity was based on a 5-point scale. ANOVA, chi-squared, and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors of itch and pain severity. RESULTS: Of the 1159 patients enrolled in the registry, 58% were male and 42% female, with a median age (IQR) of 27 (8-47) years. Most patients were diagnosed with 2nd degree superficial (41%) or deep (43%) burns. Upper extremities were the most common location of burn injury (59%), followed by lower extremities (31%), trunk (22%), and face/neck (20%). More than half (53%) of enrolled patients reported itching, ranging from minimal (19%) to severe (7%) itching. Multivariate analyses revealed age, sex (female), extent of burn injuries, and location (face/neck) to be predictors of itch after burn. Predictors of pain after burn were slightly different: age, extent of burn, and depth of burn. CONCLUSION:Pain and itch after burn injuries are predicted by slightly different variables, presumably secondary to different underlying mechanisms. We conclude that age, sex (female), extent of burn injuries (total body surface area %), and injuries to the face/neck predict itching of greater severity. Patients with burn injuries that match these parameters would require greater care and closer follow up to reduce itching after healing.