Neuropathic Pain After Burn Injury: A Severe and Common Problem in Recovery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to address the limited understanding of neuropathic pain (NP) among burn survivors by comprehensively examining its prevalence and related factors on a national scale using the Burn Model System (BMS) National Database. BACKGROUND: NP is a common but underexplored complaint among burn survivors, greatly affecting their quality of life and functionality well beyond the initial injury. Existing data on NP and its consequences in burn survivors are limited to select single-institution studies, lacking a comprehensive national perspective. METHODS: The BMS National Database was queried to identify burn patients responding to NP-related questions at enrollment, 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, and 5 years postinjury. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to explore associations between demographic/clinical characteristics and self-reported NP at different time points. RESULTS: There were 915 patients included for analysis. At discharge, 66.5% of patients experienced NP in their burn scars. Those with NP had significantly higher Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 (PROMIS-29) pain inference, itch, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance scores and were less able to partake in social roles. Multiple logistic regression revealed male sex, % total body surface area, and moderate-to-severe pain as predictors of NP at 6 months. At 12 months, % total body surface area and moderate-to-severe pain remained significant predictors, while ethnicity and employment status emerged as significant predictors at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the significant prevalence of NP in burn patients and its adverse impacts on their physical, psychological, and social well-being. The findings underscore the necessity of a comprehensive approach to NP treatment, addressing both physical symptoms and psychosocial factors.

Predictors at 6 and 12 Months for Social Participation Outcome at 24 Months in the Adult Burn Injury Population: A Burn Model System National Database Study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical factors (physical and psychological symptoms and post-traumatic growth) that predict social participation outcome at 24-month after burn injury. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study based on Burn Model System National Database. SETTING: Burn Model System centers. PARTICIPANTS: 181 adult participants less than 2 years after burn injury (N=181). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic and injury variables were collected at discharge. Predictor variables were assessed at 6 and 12 months: Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) Depression, Anxiety, Sleep Disturbance, Fatigue, and Pain Interference short forms, and self-reported Heat Intolerance. Social participation was measured at 24 months using the Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Social Interactions and Social Activities short forms. RESULTS: Linear and multivariable regression models were used to examine predictor variables for social participation outcomes, controlling for demographic and injury variables. For LIBRE Social Interactions, significant predictors included the PCL-C total score at 6 months (ß=-0.27, P<.001) and 12 months (ß=-0.39, P<.001), and PROMIS-29 Pain Interference at 6 months (ß=-0.20, P<.01). For LIBRE Social Activities, significant predictors consisted of the PROMIS-29 Depression at 6 months (ß=-0.37, P<.001) and 12 months (ß=-0.37, P<.001), PROMIS-29 Pain Interference at 6 months (ß=-0.40, P<.001) and 12 months (ß=-0.37, P<.001), and Heat Intolerance at 12 months (ß=-4.55, P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Post-traumatic stress and pain predicted social interactions outcomes, while depression, pain and heat intolerance predicted social activities outcomes in people with burn injury.

Comparison of Demographics Across the Burn, Spinal Cord Injury, and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the demographic profiles of participants in the traumatic brain injury, burn injury, and spinal cord injury model systems databases. DESIGN: Data from the Burn Model System (BMS), Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS), and Spinal Cord Injury Model System (SCIMS) National Databases were analyzed from 1994-2020. SETTING: Not applicable. PARTICIPANTS: The study included participants aged ≥16 years (N=42,407) with available data in selected variables, totaling 4807 burn injury, 19,127 TBI, and 18,473 SCI participants. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Variables including age, race, ethnicity, sex, education level, primary payor source, family income level, employment status at 1 year postinjury, etiology, and mortality at 1 year postinjury were analyzed across the database. RESULTS: Median ages at injury for BMS (40.4y), TBIMS (40y), and SCIMS (38y) National Database participants were comparable. Men constituted approximately 75% of participants in the BMS, TBIMS, and SCIMS datasets, with approximately 75% having a high-school education or less. The proportion of participants funded by Medicare during initial hospital care varied across the BMS (14%), TBIMS (15.6%), and SCIMS (10.2%). For family income (data available for BMS and SCIMS), approximately 30% of these participants reported a family income <$25,000. Etiology data indicated 49.0% of traumatic brain injury and 40.7% of spinal cord injury cases resulted from vehicular incidents. CONCLUSIONS: An overlapping at-risk population for these injuries appears to be middle-aged men with lower education levels and family incomes who have access to vehicles. This underscores the need for preventive initiatives tailored to this identified population to mitigate the risk of these injuries.

Preliminary Exploration of Long-Term Patient Outcomes After Tracheostomy in Burns: A Burn Model System Study.

INTRODUCTION: Upper airway management is crucial to burn care. Endotracheal intubation is often performed in the setting of inhalation injury, burns of the face and neck, or large burns requiring significant resuscitation. Tracheostomy may be necessary in patients requiring prolonged ventilatory support. This study compares long-term, patient-reported outcomes in burn patients with and without tracheostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Burn Model System Database, collected from 2013 to 2020, were analyzed. Demographic and clinical data were compared between those with and without tracheostomy. The following patient-reported outcomes, collected at 6-, 12-, and 24-mo follow-up, were analyzed: Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), Satisfaction with Life, Community Integration Questionnaire, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29-Item Profile Measure, employment status, and days to return to work. Regression models and propensity-matched analyses were used to assess the associations between tracheostomy and each outcome. RESULTS: Of 714 patients included in this study, 5.5% received a tracheostomy. Mixed model regression analyses demonstrated that only VR-12 Physical Component Summary scores at 24-mo follow-up were significantly worse among those requiring tracheostomy. Tracheostomy was not associated with VR-12 Mental Component Summary, Satisfaction with Life, Community Integration Questionnaire, or Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29-Item Profile Measure scores. Likewise, tracheostomy was not found to be independently associated with employment status or days to return to work. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary exploration suggests that physical and psychosocial recovery, as well as the ability to regain employment, are no worse in burn patients requiring tracheostomy. Future investigations of larger scale are still needed to assess center- and provider-level influences, as well as the influences of various hallmarks of injury severity. Nonetheless, this work should better inform goals of care discussions with patients and families regarding the use of tracheostomy in burn injury.

Botulinum Toxin A for Improving Lack of Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion After Major Burns-A Retrospective Chart Review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the effectiveness of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) for treating the loss of maximum ankle dorsiflexion range of motion after burn injury. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Large urban burn center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (3-51 y) with major burn injury and loss of ankle dorsiflexion range while hospitalized (N=5). INTERVENTION: BTX-A treatment in addition to standard care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximum ankle dorsiflexion range of motion at time of treatment, 1 month and 3 months posttreatment. RESULTS: Patients' total burn area ranged from 18% to 95%, and time from injury to BTX-A injection (80-125 units) was 19-93 days. Ankle range at the time of injection was -10 to -50 degrees, and all patients had improved ankle range at 1 month postinjection (-30 to +10 degrees). At 3 months postinjection, 3 participants had neutral ranges of motion that were relatively improved compared to preinjection ranges. Patients with additional complications or severe injury showed regression toward preinjection maximum ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study examines BTX-A as a potential tool for treating ankle plantar flexion contractures post major burn injury after failed conservative treatment. Initial review shows some patients may benefit from these injections, but more systematically designed studies are required to assess effectiveness. If effective, further investigation will be needed to validate and standardize treatment protocols, establish dosing, and assess long-term effectiveness in those with burn injury or severe complications.

Effectiveness of Paraffin and Sustained Stretch in Treatment of Shoulder Contractures Following a Burn Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if range of motion of the shoulder treated with paraffin will be better than that of the shoulder treated with sustained stretch alone. DESIGN: Pilot randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Regional burn center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=23) who sustained a burn injury, with a shoulder active abduction and/or flexion in the +70° to +150° degree range, who were 14 years or older, were receiving follow-up physical therapy after discharge from hospital, and provided a signed consent to participate. INTERVENTIONS: Group A received sustained stretch and paraffin, and group B received sustained stretch only. Both groups had 6 sessions of treatment over 2 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Active range of motion (AROM) and active-assisted range of motion (AAROM) for shoulder flexion (SF) and shoulder abduction (SA) were measured before and after each treatment session. RESULTS: For pretreatment measurements, only the results for SF AAROM had significant time effects. For posttreatment measurements, SF AROM and SF AAROM had significant effects for time. Session 1 was significantly lower than sessions 2, 3, 4, and 6 for both measures, and additionally, session 1 was significantly lower than session 5 for SF AAROM. For SA AROM, a group-by-time interaction effect was significant, with scores for the paraffin group relatively stable across sessions, and the nonparaffin group had peaks at sessions 3 and 6. There were no significant effects for (1) within-session changes to examine improvement during a session or (2) presession scores across the 6 sessions showing maintenance of motion. Total change from the first session presession measurement to the sixth session postsession measurement for the 2 treatment groups were nonsignificantly different. CONCLUSIONS: As shown in this study, sustained stretching with paraffin may be a valuable adjunct to range of motion intervention for the shoulder after burn injury.

National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Burn Model System: Review of Program and Database.

The Burn Model System (BMS) centers program was created in 1994 to evaluate the long-term outcomes of burn injuries. As part of this multicenter program, a comprehensive longitudinal database was developed to facilitate the study of a number of functional and psychosocial outcomes after burn injury. In this article, we provide an overview of the data collection procedures, measures selection process, and an overview of the participant data collected between 1994 and 2016. Surveys were administered during hospitalization and at 6, 12, and 24 months after discharge, and in the most recent funding cycle, data collection at every 5 years postinjury was added. More than 7200 people with burn injury were eligible to participate in the BMS National Longitudinal Database. Of these, >5900 (82%) were alive at discharge and consented to follow-up data collection. The BMS National Longitudinal Database represents a large sample of people with burn injury, including information on demographic characteristics, injury characteristics, and health outcomes. The database is publicly available and can be used to examine the effect of burn injury on long-term outcomes.

Factors Affecting Employment After Burn Injury in the United States: A Burn Model System National Database Investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of patient and injury characteristics on employment for working-age, adult survivors of burn injury using the multicenter Burn Model System national database. DESIGN: Longitudinal survey. SETTING: Multicenter regional burn centers. PARTICIPANTS: Adult burn survivors (N=967) age≥18 years with known employment status prior to injury were included in the analysis at 12 months after injury. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Employment status at 12 months after injury. RESULTS: The analyses determined that those employed preinjury had higher odds of being employed (odds ratio [OR]=8.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9-13.1). White, non-Hispanic individuals were also more likely to be employed (OR=1.49; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1). Older individuals, females, those with longer hospitalizations, amputation during the acute hospitalization, and those with high pain interference at hospital discharge had lower odds of working after injury. Preinjury living situation, preinjury alcohol and drug misuse, number of acute operations and burn size (total body surface area, %) were not significant predictors of employment status at 12 months after burn injury. CONCLUSION: Preinjury employment remains the most significant predictor for postburn employment. Although past reports have focused on predictors for postburn employment, we believe that we need to seek greater understanding of modifiable risk factors for unemployment and examine issues related to work retention, performance, accommodations, and career trajectories for the working-age survivor of burn injury.

Postacute Care Setting Is Associated With Employment After Burn Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in long-term employment outcomes in the postacute care setting. DESIGN: Retrospective review of the prospectively collected Burn Model System National Database. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 695 adult survivors of burn injury enrolled between May 1994 and June 2016 who required postacute care at a Burn Model System center following acute care discharge were included. Participants were divided into 2 groups based on acute care discharge disposition. Those who received postacute care at an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) following acute care were included in the IRF group (N=447), and those who were treated at a skilled nursing facility, long-term care hospital, or other extended-care facility following acute care were included in the Other Rehab group (N=248). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Employment status at 12 months postinjury. Propensity score matching and logistic regression were utilized to determine the effect of postacute care setting on employment status. RESULTS: Individuals in the IRF group had larger burns and were more likely to have an inhalation injury and to undergo amputation. At 12 months postinjury, the IRF group had over 9 times increased odds of being employed compared to the Other Rehab group, using propensity score matching (P=.046). CONCLUSIONS: While admitting patients with more severe injuries, IRFs provided a long-term benefit for survivors of burn injury in terms of regaining employment. Given the current lack of evidence-based guidelines on postacute care decisions, the results of this study shed light on the potential benefits of the intensive services provided at IRFs in this population.

Challenges to the Standardization of Trauma Data Collection in Burn, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, and Other Trauma Populations: A Call for Common Data Elements for Acute and Longitudinal Trauma Databases.

OBJECTIVE: Common data elements (CDEs) promote data sharing, standardization, and uniform data collection, which facilitate meta-analyses and comparisons of studies. Currently, there is no set of CDEs for all trauma populations, but their creation would allow researchers to leverage existing databases to maximize research on trauma outcomes. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent of common data collection among 5 trauma databases. DESIGN: The data dictionaries of 5 trauma databases were examined to determine the extent of common data collection. Databases included 2 acute care databases (American Burn Association's National Burn Data Standard and American College of Surgeons' National Trauma Data Standard) and 3 longitudinal trauma databases (Burn, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury Model System National Databases). Data elements and data values were compared across the databases. Quantitative and qualitative variations in the data were identified to highlight meaningful differences between datasets. SETTING: N/A. PARTICIPANTS: N/A. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: N/A. RESULTS: Of the 30 data elements examined, 14 (47%) were present in all 5 databases. Another 9 (30%) elements were present in 4 of the 5 databases. The number of elements present in each database ranged from 23 (77%) to 26 (86%). There were inconsistencies in the data values across the databases. Twelve of the 14 data elements present in all 5 databases exhibited differences in data values. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates inconsistencies in the documentation of data elements in 5 common trauma databases. These discrepancies are a barrier to database harmonization and to maximizing the use of these databases through linking, pooling, and comparing data. A collaborative effort is required to develop a standardized set of elements for trauma research.

The Presence of Scarring and Associated Morbidity in the Burn Model System National Database.

INTRODUCTION: Postburn scarring is common, but the risk factors, natural history, and consequences of such scars are still poorly understood. This study aims to describe the frequency of scar-related morbidity for up to 2 years after injury and to analyze the impact of burn scars on long-term functional, psychosocial, and reintegration outcomes. METHODS: Analysis was conducted on data collected between January 2006 and May 2014 from 960 patients (2440 anatomic burn sites) using the Burn Model System (BMS) database. Study population demographics were analyzed and odds ratios for the development of raised or thick scarring were determined. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of hypertrophic scarring (HTS) on psychosocial outcomes, including the Community Integration Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Distress, and the Short Form 12. Symptoms associated with scarring were analyzed at discharge and 6, 12, and 24 months after burn using a set of questions on scarring developed by the BMS. Mixed-effect modeling was used to determine linear change over time and the significance of symptoms. RESULTS: The study population was primarily white (65.0%) and male (71.8%), with a mean (SD) age of 44.0 (15.2) years and mean total body surface area burned of 19.6% (17.9%). The incidence of raised or thick scars increased from 65% to 80% (P < 0.0001) for the 2-year follow-up period. The presence of scarring was not associated with Community Integration Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, or Short Form 12 scores. Most patients reported symptoms associated with scarring at 2 years after burn, including dry or fragile skin, scars that restrict range of motion at a joint, issues with hand function, and scar pain and itch. CONCLUSIONS: In this large, longitudinal, multicenter cohort of burn survivors, nearly all patients noted the presence of scarring, and a majority noted additional symptoms and morbidity related to their scars even at 2 years after injury. This study demonstrates a need for the continued support of burn survivors to address scar-related morbidity. Furthermore, future studies examining the impact of novel treatments for scarring should use similar scar problem questionnaires and distress scores.

Predicting Heterotopic Ossification Early After Burn Injuries: A Risk Scoring System.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to develop a scoring system that stratifies burn patients at the time of hospital admission according to risk of developing heterotopic ossification (HO). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: HO in burns is an uncommon but severely debilitating problem with a poorly understood mechanism and no fully effective prophylactic measures. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Burn Model System National Database from 1994 to 2010 (n = 3693). The primary outcome is diagnosis of HO at hospital discharge. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant demographic and medical predictors of HO. A risk scoring system was created in which point values were assigned to predictive factors and final risk score is correlated with the percent risk of developing HO. The model was internally and externally validated. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects is 42.5 ±â€Š16.0 years, the mean total body surface area (TBSA) burned is 18.5 ±â€Š16.4%, and the population is 74.9% male. TBSA and the need for grafting of the arm, head/neck, and trunk were significant predictors of HO development (P < 0.01). A 13-point risk scoring system was developed using these significant predictors. The model c-statistic is 0.92. The risk scoring system demonstrated evidence of internal and external validity. An online calculator was developed to facilitate translation of knowledge to practice and research. CONCLUSIONS: This HO risk scoring system identifies high-risk burn patients suitable for diagnostic testing and interventional HO prophylaxis trials.

Cognition in patients with burn injury in the inpatient rehabilitation population.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze potential cognitive impairment in patients with burn injury in the inpatient rehabilitation population. DESIGN: Rehabilitation patients with burn injury were compared with the following impairment groups: spinal cord injury, amputation, polytrauma and multiple fractures, and hip replacement. Differences between the groups were calculated for each cognitive subscale item and total cognitive FIM. Patients with burn injury were compared with the other groups using a bivariate linear regression model. A multivariable linear regression model was used to determine whether differences in cognition existed after adjusting for covariates (eg, sociodemographic factors, facility factors, medical complications) based on previous studies. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Data from Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation from 2002 to 2011 for adults with burn injury (N=5347) were compared with other rehabilitation populations (N=668,816). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of total cognitive FIM scores and subscales (memory, verbal comprehension, verbal expression, social interaction, problem solving) for patients with burn injury versus other rehabilitation populations. RESULTS: Adults with burn injuries had an average total cognitive FIM score ± SD of 26.8±7.0 compared with an average FIM score ± SD of 28.7±6.0 for the other groups combined (P<.001). The subscale with the greatest difference between those with burn injury and the other groups was memory (5.1±1.7 compared with 5.6±1.5, P<.001). These differences persisted after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with burn injury have worse cognitive FIM scores than other rehabilitation populations. Future research is needed to determine the impact of this comorbidity on patient outcomes and potential interventions for these deficits.

Physical and psychosocial outcomes among burn-injured people with heterotopic ossification: A burn model system study.

INTRODUCTION: Heterotopic ossification (HO), or ectopic bone formation in soft tissue, is a not so rare and poorly understood debilitating sequela of burn injury. Individuals developing HO following burn injuries to their hands often experience reductions in mobility, significant contractures, and joint pain. This study identifies demographic characteristics of individuals who develop HO and compares their physical and psychosocial outcomes to the general burn population. METHODS: Participant demographics, injury characteristics, and PROMIS-29 scores across three time points (discharge, six- and 12- months after injury) were extracted from the Burn Model System National Longitudinal Database representing participants from 2015-2022. Mixed-effects linear regression models were used to compare PROMIS scores across all three longitudinal measurements. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, HO status, and burn size. RESULTS: Of the 861 participants with data concerning HO, 33 were diagnosed with HO (3.8% of participants). Most participants with HO were male (n = 24, 73%) and had an average age of 40 + /- 13 years. Participants with HO had significantly larger burn size (49 +/-23% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA)) than those without HO (16 +/-17%). Participants with HO reported significantly worse physical function, depression, pain interference and social integration scores than those without HO. After adjusting for covariables, participants with HO continued to report statistically significantly worse physical function than those without HO. Although physical functioning was consistently lower, the two populations did not differ significantly among psychosocial outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: While HO can result in physical limitations, the translation to psychosocial impairments was not evident. Targeted treatment of HO with the goal of maximizing physical function should be a focus of their rehabilitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b TYPE OF STUDY: Symptom Prevalence Study.

The association between body mass index and physical function in adult burn survivors: A Burn Model System National Database study.

INTRODUCTION: An area of rehabilitation research in burns is the impact of co-morbidities on disease trajectory. Obesity is a comorbidity of increasing public health concern, but its role remains controversial regarding burn injury and physical recovery. Our aim was to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) categories as a measure of obesity at discharge and self-reported physical function (PF) during recovery of adult burn survivors. METHODS: This is a retrospective study on data collected by four major US burn centers, which contribute to the Burn Model System National Database. The data included BMI obtained at hospital discharge and self-reported PF-mobility, using the PROMIS measures assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months after burn. Subjects were classified into weight status categories based on BMI: underweight (BMI <18.5), normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI <25), overweight (25 ≤ BMI <30), obesity class 1 (30 ≤ BMI <35), obesity class 2 (35 ≤ BMI <40), and obesity class 3 (BMI ≥40). Mixed-effects linear regression models were used to assess the association between BMI categories and PF scores over time, adjusted for patient and injury characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 496 adult burn patients aged 47 ± 16 years were included, with mean total body surface area (TBSA) burned of 18 ± 19 % and mean BMI at discharge of 28 ± 7 kg/m2. PROMIS PF scores significantly improved over time in the recovery phase after burn (time effect, p < 0.001). Compared to overweight burn patients, normal-underweights exhibited lower PF score by an average of 4.06 units (p = 0.001) but scores increased linearly by an estimated 0.17 units per month (p = 0.01) over the 24 months after discharge. Similarly, compared to overweight burn patients, class 1 obese reported lower PF score by a mean 2.67 units (p = 0.07) but PF increased linearly by 0.15 units per month (p = 0.07) over the 24 months after discharge. These findings were independent of the effects of age at discharge, sex, TBSA burned, and hand and leg burn. CONCLUSION: Being overweight was associated with improved and faster recovery of PF scores compared to normal, underweight, and obese burn patients during long-term recovery. Hence, our data suggests that long-term recovery and restoration of PF in adult burn survivors is not compromised by a small excess in body weight.

Pediatric Patients with Post-Burn Amputations Report Worse Long-Term Physical Function but Not Self-Appearance: A Burn Model System Study.

Some severe burn injuries may warrant amputation; however, the physical and functional adjustments resulting from post-burn amputation can have long-term consequences. This study investigates longitudinal functional and psychosocial outcomes among pediatric burn amputees. Pediatric participants enrolled in the Burn Model System national longitudinal, multicenter database between 2015-2023 with post-burn amputations were included. Participants with amputations were matched using nearest-neighbor matching to those without amputations based on burn location, age, and % total burn surface area burn size. Primary outcomes were the PROMIS Pediatric-25 Profile v2.0 Physical Function and the Children Burn Outcomes Questionnaire: appearance sub-score, both measured at 6-, 12- and 24 months post-burn. In this study, 17 participants had amputations and 17 did not (matched participants). Pairwise analyses at each timepoint found those with amputations reported significantly lower physical function scores at 24 months post-burn (54.9 ±11.6 vs. 66 ±5, p=0.013). No significant differences were found in appearance scores. This study suggests that pediatric burn amputees may potentially face greater physical impairment long-term, highlighting an important area of research that deserves further attention.

Quality-of-life loss of people admitted to burn centers, United States.

PURPOSE: To estimate quality-of-life loss per serious burn survivor in a large U.S. cohort. METHODS: Longitudinal functional assessments of all 1,587 people receiving primary treatment in 5 burn centers between 2000 and 2009 included pre-burn (retrospective), at time of discharge, and 6, 12, and 24 months post-injury. We assessed adults with RAND Short Form (SF) 12 and children with SF-10 or Child Health Questionnaire, the child surveys scored using standard norms-based scoring. A literature review identified 20 quality-adjusted life year utility scorings for SF-12 and 27 scorings for EQ-5d response distributions predicted from SF-12 scores. We computed composite scores for each patient and time period by applying 32 scorings that met quality/non-duplication criteria. RESULTS: Mean quality-of-life scores were 0.805 4 weeks pre-burn, 0.562 at discharge, rebounded through 1 year, and stabilized at 0.735 (0.750 for TBSA burned below 25 %, 0.722 for TBSA burned of 25-50 %, and 0.695 for larger burns). As a percentage of initial levels, burns reduced short-term quality of life by 30 %. Long-term loss averaged 11 %, ranging from 9 % for TBSA burned below 25-13 % for TBSA burned above 50 %. Children recovered faster and more fully. CONCLUSION: Burns cause substantial losses in quality of life, with long-term losses comparable to traumatic brain injury.

Validity and reliability of the FIM instrument in the inpatient burn rehabilitation population.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence of construct validity for the FIM instrument in the inpatient rehabilitation burn population. DESIGN: Confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory were used to assess construct validity. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on a 2-factor model of the FIM instrument and on a 6-subfactor model. Mokken scale analysis, a nonparametric item response theory, was performed on each of the FIM instrument's 2 major factors, motor and cognitive domains. Internal consistency using Cronbach alpha and Molenaar and Sijtsma's statistic was also examined. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Data from the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation for patients with an impairment code of burn injury from the years 2002 to 2011 were used for this analysis. A total of 7569 subjects were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparative fit index results for the confirmatory factor analyses and adherence to assumptions of the Mokken scale model. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis provided a comparative fit index of .862 for the 2-factor model and .941 for the 6-subfactor model. Mokken scale analysis showed scalability coefficients of .681 and .891 for the motor and cognitive domains, respectively. Measures of internal consistency statistic gave values of >.95 for each major domain of the FIM instrument. CONCLUSIONS: The FIM instrument has evidence of validity and reliability as an outcome measure for patients with burn injuries in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. The 6-subfactor model provides a better fit than the 2-factor model by confirmatory factor analysis. There is evidence that the motor and cognitive domains each form valid unidimensional metrics based on nonparametric item response theory.

Long-Term Outcomes in Burn Patients.

Better understanding of long-term outcomes after burn injury is essential for the burn clinician. Contractures are present in almost half of patients at discharge. Although less common, neuropathy and heterotopic ossification may be missed or go unaddressed. Close attention to psychological distress and to challenges with community reentry is essential. Obviously long-term problems with skin issues occur but other issues must be attended to maximize health and quality of life after injury. Facilitating access to community resources and providing long-term medical follow-up should be the standard of care.

We Got Your Back: Evaluating Recovery Following Spinal Cord Injury After High-Voltage Electric Burns.

Delayed spinal cord injury (SCI) is a relatively rare consequence of high voltage electrical burns, but it holds significant implications for patient quality of life. Due to the uncommon nature of delayed SCI and variable time of onset following injury, providers are currently unable to provide a prognosis for functional recovery and optimize a therapy process tailored to treat this patient populace. In this study, we aim to better map the pattern of recovery in these patients to better inform future rehabilitation practices. A retrospective chart review of five patients who experienced delayed SCI secondary to an electrical burn was conducted. The majority of patients displayed an upward trajectory in motor function following acute hospitalization and inpatient rehabilitation, with four of the five patients able to achieve complete motor strength in multiple extremities. In addition, rehabilitation was shown to have a noticeable impact in improving functional independence in tasks related to nursing. In conclusion, the clinical and functional outcomes of these delayed SCI patients point to the need for multidisciplinary management following injury and highlight the importance of early rehabilitation in regaining function.