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. 2019 Sep 30;32(3):175-178.

Influence of gender difference on outcomes of adult burn patients in a developing country

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Influence of gender difference on outcomes of adult burn patients in a developing country

N N Lam et al. Ann Burns Fire Disasters. .

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of gender on outcomes among adult burn patients. A retrospective study was conducted on 5061 adult burn patients (16 - 64 years old) admitted to the Vietnam National Burn Hospital over a three-year period (2016 - 2018). Demographic data, burn features and outcome including complications, length of hospital stay and mortality of male and female groups were compared. Results indicated that male patients were predominant (72.8%), younger (35.5 vs. 37.2 years old; p < .001) and admitted sooner to hospital. A greater number of males suffered electrical and flame/heat direct contact injuries, whereas more females suffered scald injury (34.7% vs. 12.2%; p < .001). Burn extent was larger among males (14.9% vs. 12.1%; p < .001). In addition, a higher proportion of deep burn injuries (44.8% vs. 41.2%; p < .05) and number of surgeries (1.2 vs. 1; p < .05), and longer hospital stay (17.8 vs. 15.8 days; p < .001) was recorded among the male group. Post burn complication and overall mortality rate did not differ between the two groups. However, death rate was remarkably higher in the female group when burn extent was ≥ 50% TBSA (72.4% vs. 57.3%; p < .05). In conclusion, burn features and outcomes were not similar between the male and female group. Male patients appear to suffer more severe injury requiring more surgeries and longer hospital stay. However, more attention should be paid to the significantly higher mortality rate among females with extensive burn.

Le but de ce travail était d’étudier l’impact du sexe sur le devenir d’adultes brûlés. Cette étude rétrospective a été conduite sur 5 601 patients âgés de 16 à 64 ans admis dans le CTB national du Vietnam entre 2016 et 2018 inclus. Les données démographiques, celles concernant la brûlure, les complications, la durée d’hospitalisation et la mortalité ont été comparées selon le sexe des patients. Les hommes prédominent (72,8%), sont plus jeunes (35,5 VS 37,2 ans - p<0,001) et sont hospitalisés plus rapidement. Les ébouillantements sont plus fréquents chez les femmes (34,7 VS 12,2% - p <0,001), les autres causes (électriques, flammes, contact) étant donc plus habituelles chez les hommes. Les brûlures des hommes sont plus étendues (14,9 VS 12,1% SCB - p< 0,001), plus profondes (44,8% de profond VS 41,2% - p< 0,05 ; 1,2 séances chirurgicales VS 1 - p< 0,05) et leur durée de séjour est plus longue (17,8 VS 15,8 j - p< 0,001). Le nombre de complications et la mortalité sont comparables. Toutefois, la mortalité des femmes brûlées sur ≥ 50% SCT était nettement plus élevée que celle des hommes (72,4% VS 57,3% - p< 0,05). En conclusion, les hommes ont des brûlures plus sévères nécessitant plus d’interventions chirurgicales et une hospitalisation plus longue. Il faut cependant être attentifs à la mortalité élevée des femmes extensivement brûlées.

Keywords: burn; gender; outcomes.

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Figures

Table I
Table I. Patient characteristics (n=5061)
Table II
Table II. Distribution of burn features by gender
Table III
Table III. Relationship between gender and outcomes
Table IV
Table IV. Distribution of parameters by gender among patients who died

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