Judith A McInnes1, Heather J Cleland2, Peter A Cameron3, Anne Darton4, Lincoln M Tracy5, Fiona M Wood6, Yvonne Singer7, Belinda J Gabbe8. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 3, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Judy.mcinnes@monash.edu. 2. Victorian Adult Burns Service, Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Rd., Melbourne, Victoria 3004 Australia. Electronic address: H.Cleland@alfred.org.au. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 3, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Peter.Cameron@monash.edu. 4. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation Statewide Burn Injury Service Network, Level 6, Clinical Services Building, Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Rd., St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. Electronic address: Anne.Darton@health.nsw.gov.au. 5. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 3, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Lincoln.Tracy@monash.edu. 6. Burn Injury Research Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia. Electronic address: Fiona.Wood@health.wa.gov.au. 7. Victorian Adult Burns Service, Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Rd., Melbourne, Victoria 3004 Australia. Electronic address: Y.Singer@alfred.org.au. 8. Pre-hospital, Emergency and Trauma Research Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 3, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Health Data Research UK, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Sketty, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK. Electronic address: Belinda.Gabbe@monash.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the epidemiology of burn-related fatalities is limited, with most previous studies based on hospital and burn centre data only. AIMS: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of all burn-related fatalities in Australia and New Zealand, and to identify any trends in burn-related fatality incidence over the study period. METHODS: Data from the National Coronial Information System, including data for pre-hospital and in-hospital burn-related fatality cases, was used to examine the characteristics of burn-related fatalities occurring in Australia and New Zealand from 2009 to 2015. Burn-related fatality rates per 100,000 population were estimated, and incidence trends assessed using Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 310 burn-related fatalities that occurred in Australia and New Zealand, 2009-2015, 41% occurred in a pre-hospital setting. Overall, most burn-related fatality cases were fire related, occurred at home, and were of people aged 41-80 years. One quarter of all burn-related fatalities were a result of intentional self-harm. The population incidence of all burn-related fatalities combined, and for NSW, decreased over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified the importance of examining all burn-related fatalities. If this is not done, vulnerable population subgroups will be missed and prevention efforts poorly targeted.
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the epidemiology of burn-related fatalities is limited, with most previous studies based on hospital and burn centre data only. AIMS: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of all burn-related fatalities in Australia and New Zealand, and to identify any trends in burn-related fatality incidence over the study period. METHODS: Data from the National Coronial Information System, including data for pre-hospital and in-hospital burn-related fatality cases, was used to examine the characteristics of burn-related fatalities occurring in Australia and New Zealand from 2009 to 2015. Burn-related fatality rates per 100,000 population were estimated, and incidence trends assessed using Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 310 burn-related fatalities that occurred in Australia and New Zealand, 2009-2015, 41% occurred in a pre-hospital setting. Overall, most burn-related fatality cases were fire related, occurred at home, and were of people aged 41-80 years. One quarter of all burn-related fatalities were a result of intentional self-harm. The population incidence of all burn-related fatalities combined, and for NSW, decreased over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified the importance of examining all burn-related fatalities. If this is not done, vulnerable population subgroups will be missed and prevention efforts poorly targeted.