title: Burn epidemiology in the Brisbane and Queensland area.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to evaluate changes in patterns of injury and whether mortality rates have decreased.
  
  
  METHODS
  The database over 20 years from 1982 to 2002 and the 6 years 1997 to 2003 was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  4523 admissions. 73.7% males, 26.3% females. Monthly and seasonal admissions showed little fluctuation. 52.8% in the 21-40 years age group, 19.7% under 20 years, 19.4% in the 41-60 years group and 8.1% over 60 years. TBSA: 80.4% under 20%, 12.6-21% to 40%, 3.3-41% to 60% and 3.4% were over 61%. Causes: flame 56%, scalds 26%, contact 9%, chemical 5%, electrical 2%, friction 1% flash burns 1%. Fifty five percent at home, 20% work, 13% motor vehicles and 11% leisure. Fifteen percent had significant inhalation injuries and 81% required intubation. Mortality rate for 6 years was 2.1%. In 1972-1996 of 4096 burns was 3.6% and 3.4% in 1993-1996.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Little change in patterns of injury. Burns less than 20% predominate. The majority were under 40 years. Inhalation injury, large burns and elderly were major causes of morbidity and mortality. Mortality rate is falling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Qld. 4029, Australia. drsspegg@bigpond.com
authors.forename: Stuart P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Pegg
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001830:Body Surface Area; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D002059:Burns, Inhalation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution