title: Epidemiology of burns caused by moxibustion in Korea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese treatment that uses dried Artemisia argyi, is a common cause of burns treated in Korean hospitals. We aimed to examine the characteristics of moxibustion-induced burns.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study examined the records of 59 patients who were treated for moxibustion-induced burns (April 2014-October 2015). All patients completed a questionnaire regarding their general characteristics and moxibustion use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients included 16 men and 43 women (average age: 49.1 years, 68 burn sites). Superficial second-degree burns were present at 21 sites, deep second- or third-degree burns at 44 sites, and unknown burns at 3 sites. The most common sites were the lower extremities, abdomen, and upper extremities. The most common practitioners were the patients (27/59, 45.7%) and Oriental medicine practitioners (23/59, 38.9%). The most common locations were the patient's home, Oriental medicine clinic, and moxibustion clinic. The most common reason for moxibustion was pain. Only the burn site was significantly associated with burn depth, and non-abdominal sites were 9.37-fold more likely to involve deep burns (vs. abdominal sites).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Korean patients routinely undergo moxibustion, and care must be taken when using moxibustion at non-abdominal sites, due to the risk of deep burns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University of College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Cheonjae
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Soon
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Bestian Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seungchoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University of College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Phil
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Bestian Hospital, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yhchoi113020@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Young Hwan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009071:Moxibustion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059408:Pain Management; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices
keywords: Burns; Epidemiology; Korea; Moxibustion; Traditional medicine