Epidemiology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Epidemiology, including details on twin studies, statistics, environmental and genetic factors.

The epidemiology of intentional burns.

Reiland A, Hovater M, McGwin G, Rue LW, Cross JM

Center for Injury Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-0016, USA.

We sought to present the epidemiology of intentional burns, both deliberate self-inflicted burns and assault burns. Patient records from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Burn Center were reviewed retrospectively. Information pertaining to demographic and injury characteristics were obtained. Ninety-six patients with intentional burns were identified. Patients sustaining intentional burn injury had larger mean TBSA burned (26.1% vs 13.8%), longer mean hospital length of stay (19.9 days vs 13.2 days), higher incidence of inhalational injury (20.8% vs 8.7%), higher rate of mortality (20.0% vs 9.8%), and were more likely to have an elevated blood alcohol content (14.6% vs 7%) when compared with all other burn patients. Patients with deliberate self-burns were more likely to be men (85.7% vs 55.7%) and more likely to have a positive drug screen test than assault burn patients (11.4% vs 0%). Patients who suffer intentional burns tend to have more severe burns and experience worse outcomes.

Published 8 May 2006 in J Burn Care Res, 27(3): 276-80.
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