Publication:

Socio-clinical profile of burn patients in Odisha: a cross-sectional study

Background Burn injuries remain a major global health issue that can be prevented, with countries like India seeing a concerning increase in cases. The objective of this research was to examine the sociolect-demographic traits and trends of burn injuries in patients who were hospitalized at a tertiary care facility.

Methods During a three-month timeframe, a hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires, after obtaining consent from patients or their caregivers. Clinical evaluations were also carried out to ascertain the proportion of total body surface area (TBSA) impacted and the body part most severely affected. Data on sociolect-demographic features, burn cause, severity and type, time to seek medical care, and results were also collected.

Results Of the 84 burn victims, the majority were women between the ages of 20 to 40, following the Hindu faith, residing in rural regions (66.6%). The majority of burns (97.61%) resulted from heat, were unintentional, and took place in kitchens (62.3%). Men were more susceptible to electrical burns, whereas women were more prone to flame burns. Following receiving thorough treatment, 51.1% of burn patients were released from care, whereas 17.8% of them died.

Conclusions This research highlights the susceptibility of women to fire burns, often resulting from incorrect cooking methods. Preventing burn incidents in homes can be achieved through safety precautions and increased knowledge especially in rural regions. In the tertiary care setting, starting treatment early, and adhering to established protocols can all aid in decreasing mortality rates. The experienced burns specialist should assess the advantages and risks of integrating AI into clinical practice before deciding to do so.