Satisfaction with appearance and sexual satisfaction in women with severe burn injuries.

Burn, particularly in women, can cause a variety of difficulties. Women's feelings of themselves and of life satisfaction are affected by their body dimensions and satisfaction with appearance, which can be significant predictors of their sexual satisfaction. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between satisfaction with appearance and sexual satisfaction among female patients with severe burn. The present study, adopted a descriptive-analytic approach and used a convenience sampling technique, to select 180 female patients Data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the index of sexual satisfaction (ISS), and the satisfaction with appearance scale (SWAP). The results of this study showed that about 82% of women with severe burn injuries, had a lower level of sexual satisfaction. It was observed that satisfaction with appearance had a significant negative relationship with sexual satisfaction in women with burns (P < 0.001). According to the results of the present study, in order to improve appearance satisfaction and consequently sexual satisfaction, intervention attempts are essential. The findings of this study may have practical applications in the formulation of plans for patients with burn injuries.

The effect of guided imagery on the quality and severity of pain and pain-related anxiety associated with dressing changes in burn patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Pain and anxiety caused by burn dressing change are one of the major issues in burn patients. In this regard, guided imagery as a complementary method can be effective in reducing the levels of anxiety and pain. This method is the process of creating mental images and using sensory features through the individual's imagination and memory that facilitate the achievement of desired therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the effect of guided imagery on the quality and severity of pain and pain-related anxiety associated with dressing change in burn patients. This is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial in which a total of 70 burn patients were enrolled using convenience sampling and randomly allocated to two groups of intervention and control (n = 35 in each group). Each patient in the intervention group received four sessions of guided imagery during four consecutive days (one session a day) using a headphone. Then in both groups, the level of pain was assessed after the dressing change and the level of pain-related anxiety was assessed before the dressing change (between the end of the intervention and the initiation of dressing change). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and the Burn Specific Pain Anxiety Scale (BSPAS). Data were first entered into the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25.0 and then analyzed using repeated-measures Analysis of Variance. The repeated measures ANOVA indicated the mean score of the quality and severity of pain and pain-related anxiety differed statistically and significantly after the intervention (during the four sessions) compared to before it (baseline) in the intervention group (p < 0.001). The independent-samples t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of the quality and severity of pain and pain-related anxiety between the two groups (p < 0.001). This difference was found to be significant from the second session onwards (p < 0.001). Medical staff, including physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, are responsible for developing strategies to manage complications of burn injuries. Considering the effectiveness of guided imagery in reducing anxiety and pain in burn patients, it is recommended to use this method of complementary medicine to manage stress, anxiety, and pain in these patients.

Amniotic membrane dressing versus nitrofurazone-impregnated dressing in the treatment of second-degree burn wounds: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Both the amniotic membrane biologic dressing and nitrofurazone-impregnated dressing are treatment options for burn wounds. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of these treatments in healing second-degree burns, a randomized clinical trial was conducted among patients with second-degree burns who had no comorbidities or history of addiction and were referred to a burn center in Urmia, Iran, between December 2017 and September 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 study groups. Wounds were dressed in either amniotic membrane covered with moistened gauze/petrolatum or nitrofurazone-impregnated gauze. Comparative groups were matched according to percentage of burn (total body surface area). The dressing application occurred once daily in the nitrofurazone group and once weekly in the amniotic membrane group. The study was conducted until all wounds healed. The study outcomes included the infection rate of the wound, pain severity related to dressing changes, dressing change frequency, epithelialization rate, hospitalization length of stay, morphine use, and scarring. Data were collected in real time by the researcher via observation, interview, examination of the patient, and, eventually, completion of a checklist. Analyzed quantitative and qualitative variables were reported as mean ± standard deviation and percentage (frequency). RESULTS: Each group included 35 participants (24 men, 11 women; age, 20.05 ± 3.60 years in the amniotic dressing group; and 20 men, 15 women; age, 21.60 ± 2.02 years in the nitrofurazone-impregnated gauze group). Assessment was performed on days 1, 7, 14, and 30 from the initial treatment and at discharge. No significant difference was noted in the rate of infection between the 2 groups. Epithelialization was complete (100%) by day 7 in the amniotic membrane group, versus 77% in the nitrofurazone group. Pain following dressing application, length of hospitalization, morphine use, and scarring at day 14 were significantly lower (P < .05) in the amniotic membrane group. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that the use of amniotic membrane dressing improved factors key to healing in second-degree burn wounds compared with nitrofurazone-impregnated dressing. Further research with a larger sample is warranted.

The Quality of Life in Women with Burns in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Severe and extensive burns and the consequent burn scars have a profound impact on various aspects of the patients', especially women's quality of life (QOL). Although burn is considered as a common phenomenon in Iran, few studies are conducted to investigate the QOL in women with burn scars. Thus, the present study aimed at investigating the quality of life of married women with severe burns. METHODS: The present study was a descriptive-analytic study conducted on 101 patients with severe burns who referred in 2016 to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The Burn Specific Health Scale (BSHS) and a demographic questionnaire were used to collect and analyze the data. RESULTS: Burns had a significant negative impact on the life quality of women with burns. The average score of quality of life in women was obtained as 51.47±10.44. The most difficult in the quality of life of the patients were in skin sensitivity to heat and treatment regimens and the least difficulty was in simple abilities and hand function. CONCLUSION: The interventions to improve the quality of life is of high importance in the patients with burns. The findings of this study can help us in designing care plans for women with burns.

The Relationship between Quality of Life and Sexual Satisfaction in Women with Severe Burns.

INTRODUCTION: Burn, especially in women, can affect the quality of life and it due to a change in sexual life. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between the quality of life and sexual satisfaction in women with burns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 101 women with severe burns who were referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia, Iran, in 2016. The data gathering scales were demographic questionnaire, burn specific health scale-brief (BSHS-B) and Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS). RESULTS: The mean scores of the quality of life and sexual satisfaction were 102.94 ± 20.88 and 57.03 ± 25.91, respectively. Also, there was a significant relationship between quality of life and its subscales with sexual satisfaction and some demographic variables (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Interventional efforts for improving sexual satisfaction and thus, quality of life in these patients are important. The findings of this study appear to be effective in planning for women with a history of burns.

Retrospective Epidemiological Study of Burn Injuries in 1717 Pediatric Patients: 10 Years Analysis of Hospital Data in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Burn injuries are considered an important preventable cause of injuries in children, and it still produces significant death in Iran. This study investigated the causes and severity of burns in patients. METHODS: This study was retrospective descriptive study of children-burn injury in a referral Burn Care Center in Tehran, Iran during a ten-year period since 2005 to 2014. Data collection have been facilitated by using a specially designed checklist. The subjects included 1717 consecutive patients with various causes of burn injury. Data were analyzed applying descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Chi-square. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 4.11 ± 3.42 yr. The mean hospitalization period was 11.15 ± 8.37 d. The grade of burn was 2 in 1292 (75.2%) patients. Among the children-burn patients, 59.9% suffered from <20% of total body surface area burn. Most affected part of the body was trunk 762 (44.4%). Overall, 1256 patients (73.2%) suffered from hot liquid burns. Burns mortality rate for this study was identified 8.1% (N=3). CONCLUSION: The majority of the patients were male with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. Most patients were in the 2-4 yr age group, with most of the injuries occurring in boys under the age of 5 yr old. It is the child's natural curiosity and inability to understand that special things are dangerous to them, which leads to burning injury. Most affected part of the body was trunk and 1256 patients (73.2%) suffered from hot liquid burns.

Epidemiology of Acid-Burns in a Major Referral Hospital in Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Most of the acid- burns are due to assault or accidental. The epidemiology of burns is diverse across the world and within a country. We evaluated the epidemiology and outcome of acid-burns in tertiary health care center in Tehran, Iran. METHODS: This study was retrospective descriptive among patients referred for acid-burn injury that was done in a referral Burn Care Center in Tehran, Iran, during a ten-year period since 2005 to 2014. Patient's data collected by a specially designed check list. The subjects included 37 consecutive patients with various causes of acid burn injury. Descriptive statistics (means with standard deviations or frequency distribution) of sociodemographic variables were computed. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 31.97±11.02 years. The mean hospitalization period was 18.08±15.25 days. The grade of burn was III in 75.7% patients. Among the acid-burn patients, 64.8% suffered from <20% of total body surface area burn. Most affected part of the body was Head /face/neck 17 (45.9%). Most of the acid-burn occurred from attack (67.6%). Burns mortality rate for this study was identified 8.1% (N=3). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed high acid attacks rates. Prevention strategies must be coordinated at national level. So acid-burn patients have to receive the best medical care possible, first locally and then in a specialized center.

Epidemiology of burns during pregnancy in Tehran, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiological factors of burns in pregnant women admitted to Motahari hospital in Tehran during a 7-year period. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective descriptive study was carried out for a 7-year period. Researchers examined the medical records and documents of all 38 pregnant women admitted to Motahari hospital. The required data including age, days of hospitalization, burn percentage, cause of the burn, extent and severity of the burn, burn involved member, gestational age, and fetal and maternal outcomes were collected using check lists. The collected data were analyzed using statistical package using social sciences (SPSS) software version 20. RESULTS: During this 7-year period, 38 pregnant women with burns in different parts of their body were admitted to Motahari hospital in Tehran. Regarding burn frequency in the trimesters of pregnancy, the highest frequency was found in the second trimester (73.7%), and the frequency in the first and the third trimesters were 7.9 and 18.4%, respectively. Maternal mortality rate in the third trimester (57.1%) was higher than in the second (46.4%) and the first (33.3%) trimesters; however, fetal mortality rate was the highest in the first trimester (66.7%) followed by the third trimester (57.1%). Overall, fetal death occurred in half of the patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed high maternal and fetal mortality rates in pregnant women with burns. This issue indicates that planning and implementing supportive and therapeutic protocols in these patients are of utmost importance and should be carried out by maintaining the health of mother and fetus immediately after patient hospitalization.