title: Quality of life and mediating role of patient scar assessment in burn patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we examined the plausibility of the mediating effect of the levels of patient scar assessment on the relationship between burn severity measured with total body surface area and burn-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) among patients with burns in South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross sectional descriptive study, we collected data from 100 burn patients in three burn centers specializing in burn care in South Korea. Patient scar assessment, burn specific HRQL, and burn-related characteristics were self-reported with anonymous, paper-based surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings showed a positive correlation between burn severity, patient scar assessment, and HRQL in burn patients. The evidence of this paper is that quality of life after burns more determined by scar characteristics than burn severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the light of the poor HRQL in burn patients, the results of this study support that improving scar status could improve patients' HRQL. Health care providers should keep in mind that patients' perspectives of their scars would be a great indicator of their HRQL, so the providers' focus should be on intensive scar management intervention in their care.
authors.affiliation: Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyunjin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea. Electronic address: sjboo@ajou.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Sunjoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001830:Body Surface Area; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices
keywords: Burn management; Burn patients; Burn severity; HRQL; Patient scar assessment