[Analysis of burn-related deaths in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital during 1993-2002].
Objective of this study was to investigate mortality of burned patients, treated in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital during 1993-2002, changes of mortality, causes of death, to assess patients' age, gender, burn agent, and adjacent diseases.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of case-records of 283 burned patients deceased during 1993-2002 was done.


RESULTS
During 1993-2002, 1876 burned adult patients were hospitalized in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital. The mortality rate of burned patients was between 9 and 22% (average--13.3%, standard deviation--3.8). Age of deceased patients was on average 56 years (standard deviation--8); actually 21.6% were older that 80 years. There were 62% men among deceased burned patients. Common body surface area burned was 32% (standard deviation--28.6%), deep burn area was at average 22% (standard deviation--19.8%). Seventy two percent of burns were caused by fire, and 10% of patients were scalded. In 35% case-records adjacent diseases were not mentioned, in 57% atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease were diagnosed, 5% of patients had respiratory diseases, 7% had central nervous system troubles, mental disorders were diagnosed in 2%. Eight percent were cachectic at admission, 6%--with chronic alcohol dependence. In 70% of patients pneumonia was diagnosed, in 13%--pulmonary edema, and in 39%--sepsis. Deceased patients were treated until death on average 14 days (standard deviation--6); during first two weeks 50% died.


CONCLUSIONS
At higher mortality risk are elder burned patient with major burns, especially with serious adjacent diseases. Common death causes in burned patients are pneumonia, pulmonary edema and sepsis.
Gudaviciene
Daiva
D
Division of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, Eiveniu 2, 50010 Kaunas, Lithuania. daikle@centras.lt
Rimdeika
Rytis
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D002423:Cause of Death; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors