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Review
. 2019 Sep 16:7:23.
doi: 10.1186/s41038-019-0163-2. eCollection 2019.

Understanding acute burn injury as a chronic disease

Lucy W Barrett  1   2 , Vanessa S Fear  1 , Jason C Waithman  1 , Fiona M Wood  3   4   5 , Mark W Fear  3   5
Affiliations
Review

Understanding acute burn injury as a chronic disease

Lucy W Barrett et al. Burns Trauma. .

Abstract

While treatment for burn injury has improved significantly over the past few decades, reducing mortality and improving patient outcomes, recent evidence has revealed that burn injury is associated with a number of secondary pathologies, many of which arise long after the initial injury has healed. Population studies have linked burn injury with increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, nervous system disorders, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, gastrointestinal disease, infections, anxiety and depression. The wide range of secondary pathologies indicates that burn can cause sustained disruption of homeostasis, presenting new challenges for post-burn care. Understanding burn injury as a chronic disease will improve patient care, providing evidence for better long-term support and monitoring of patients. Through focused research into the mechanisms underpinning long-term dysfunction, a better understanding of burn injury pathology may help with the development of preventative treatments to improve long-term health outcomes. The review will outline evidence of long-term health effects, possible mechanisms linking burn injury to long-term health and current research into burns as a chronic disease.

Keywords: Burns; Chronic disease; Endocrine system; Homeostasis; Immune system; Patient care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Long-term pathological effects of burn injury. Burn injury is associated with an increased risk of numerous secondary pathologies. The human body schematic is a copyright free image obtained from google images
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Endocrine and immune system changes following burn injury. Burn injury triggers the immediate release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, catecholamines and stress hormones, followed by a counter anti-inflammatory response and a shift towards a T helper type 2 (Th2) immune environment. Activation of mast cells contributes to this phenotype which is thought to be sustained, resulting in long-term suppression of the immune system. IL interleukin, NK natural killer
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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