Factors affecting mortality in burn patients admitted to intensive care unit

The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of the patients admitted to our burn unit, and identify the factors associated with burn mortality. Between January 2000 and June 2011; Survivor group (980 control cases (Group 2)) were compared to non-survivor group (165 patients (Group 1)) to determine what factors might predict a high risk of mortality. Mortality rate was 14%. Non-surviving patients were significantly older (22.26±1.63 vs. 15.83±1.56, p=0.000) and they also stayed shorter (13.30±1.16 vs. 21.32±0.57, p=0.000) in the Burn Unit. The total body surface area (TBSA) burned (52.35±1.82 vs. 20.56±0.43, p=0.000) was significantly higher in non-survivor group. Inhalation injuries were also significantly higher in this group (15.8% vs. 0.9%, p=0.000). With regard to the cause of burn, non-survivor suffered significantly more flame injuries. The patients with risk factors such as older age, increasing of burned TBSA and inhalation injury should be categorized as high risk for mortality at the time of admission.