Epidemiological trends and risk factors in major burns patients in South Korea: A 10-year experience

•During 2003–2012, 4481 major burns patients were treated in our burns center.•Mortality rate decreased during the study period, but nevertheless remained high.•Flames and scalds caused most burns in those aged ≥21 and ≤20 years, respectively.•Age, sex, burn size and full-thickness and inhalation injuries predicted mortality.•ABSI was useful to predict mortality but overestimated mortality in older patients.

PurposeTo determine epidemiological trends among burns patients admitted to our burns center during 2003–2012, and the usefulness of the Abbreviated Burns Severity Index (ABSI) for predicting burns-related mortality.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the data of 4481 burns patients. We analyzed the epidemiological trends and ABSI scores using Student t-test and one-way analysis of variance (continuous variables), chi-square test (categorical variables) and stepwise logistic-regression analysis (predictors of mortality).ResultsThe mean age and male-to-female ratio were 39.9 ± 19.7 years and 2.88, respectively. ABSI scores decreased from 7.7 ± 3.0 in 2003 to 6.9 ± 3.0 in 2012. Mortality rate improved from 24.5% in 2003 to 15.8% in 2012. Burns were caused by flames (67.3%), scalding (22.0%) and electrical (7.5%), chemical (1.6%) and contact (1.5%) injuries. Scalding and flames were the most common causes in patients aged ≤20 years and ≥21 years, respectively. Female sex, inhalation injury, full-thickness burns, large total body surface area (TBSA) burned and old age predicted mortality. ABSI scores <4 and >14 were associated with 0.7% and >90% mortality, respectively.ConclusionsThe mortality of major burns has decreased but remains high. ABSI scores predict burns-related mortality.