Self-inflicted burns, outcome and cost.
BACKGROUND
Self-inflicted burns represent a small number of total admissions to a burns unit, yet they constitute a major workload.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of self-inflicted burns admitted between 1998 and 2002.


RESULTS
One thousand six hundred and fifty six patients were admitted with acute burn injuries, of these 56 were self-inflicted. 24 patients had a previous history of self-harming and 22 were unemployed. History of a psychiatric illness was found in 46 patients. Flames caused 46 out of 56 injuries. Mean total body surface area (TBSA) was 27%. Approximately 39% needed admission to intensive care unit (ICU). The mortality rate was 25%. On discharge, 29% of the patients re-self harmed.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-inflicted burns have a poorer outcome. Improving the psychiatric and social support can reduce the incidence of self-harming behaviour, its repetitiveness and subsequently the cost of burn care.
Ali
S N
SN
Regional Burns Unit, University Hospital Birmingham, Selly Oak Hospital, Raddlebarn Road, Birmingham B29 6JD, United Kingdom. mrnadir@hotmail.com
Soueid
A
A
Rao
K
K
Moiemen
N
N
D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome