Gender influences on burn outcomes in the elderly.
BACKGROUND
Women, aged 65 and older, now comprise a larger number of injuries requiring hospitalization than do young men. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gender differences in outcome and disposition of elderly (>65 years) burn patients.


METHODS
We compared demographic, etiologic, and outcome differences between male and female patients 65 years of age and older admitted for acute burn treatment during a five-year period.


RESULTS
Elderly patients comprised 8.5% of burn admissions. Women, who accounted for 33% of burns occurring in this group, tended to have smaller (12.0% versus 17.2% total body surface area (TBSA); p = 0.20) and less severe (3.6% versus 9.7% 3rd TBSA; p < 0.05) injuries, but mortality did not differ from men. Although not significant, elderly women, who were less likely to be married, tended to stay in the hospital longer and were significantly less likely to be discharged home than men (41.7% versus 66.7%; p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly burn patients, particularly women, utilize more resources than younger patients. Further research on the social and economic resources available to the elderly burn population, particularly women, is warranted in order to provide cost effective quality care during acute hospitalization and upon discharge.
Chang
Eun J
EJ
3B110 SOM, Department of Surgery, Health Sciences Center, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Edelman
Linda S
LS
Morris
Stephen E
SE
Saffle
Jeffrey R
JR
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001830:Body Surface Area; D002056:Burns / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome