Serum creatine phosphokinase as prognostic indicator in the management of electrical burn.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the mean difference of serum creatine phosphokinase according to the extent of tissue damage and prognosis of the patients suffering from electrical burn injuries.


METHODS
A case series study.


METHODS
Department of Burns, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, from September 2005 to August 2006.


METHODS
During the study period, 38 patients with electrical burn injuries were enrolled. Victims of electrical burns with evidence of myocardial injury were excluded. Following admission, serum creatine phosphokinase was measured serially on 10 consecutive occasions. The data was later analyzed statistically using SPSS-10.0.


RESULTS
Of the 38 patients, the mean age of the victims was 28 years, with males dominating the study population (82%). A statistically significant association was found between the level of serum creatine phosphokinase and likelihood of death (p=0.000). It was also found that serial monitoring of this enzyme can be used as prognostic indicator in the management of electrical burns injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The level of creatine phosphokinase increased with the degree of tissue injuries in patients with electrical burns. This prognostic value is of great importance in the local setup, where sophisticated investigations to detect extent of injuries are not available.
Memon
Abdul Razak
AR
Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Hyderabad. razakmemon@hotmail.com
Tahir
S M
SM
Memon
Firdaus Mumtaz
FM
Hashmi
Fazila
F
Shaikh
Bilal Fazal
BF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001830:Body Surface Area; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis
D015415:Biomarkers; D003402:Creatine Kinase