Predicting factors influencing the fatal outcome of burns in Kuwait

A prospective study was carried out on a total of 2111 burn patients admitted at the Burn Center in Kuwait, during 1993 to 2001, with the purpose of predicting the risk factors influencing the fatal outcome. A total of 111 (5.3%) patients died, giving an annual average of 12 deaths, and a mortality rate of 0.64/100,000 population. The data, from the in-patient records, included the most commonly available demographic features viz. age, gender and nationality, as well as best recorded clinical factors, such as cause of burn, total body surface area (TBSA), duration of hospital stay and outcome, for analysis. Kolmogorov-Smirnov z test showed the median age (30 years) and TBSA (80%) significantly higher (p< 0.001) among those died as compared to 24 years and 10%, respectively in patients survived. The Chi-square test revealed a fatal outcome associated with gender and cause of burn. The multiple logistic regression model predicted patients, aged 60 years and above (OR: 9.9, p< 0.001), female gender (OR: 2.2, p< 0.016), Flame burns (OR: 3.5, p< 0.035), and TBSA > 90% (OR: 23.5, p< 0.001), as the most influencing risk factors for a fatal outcome at this burn center. Patients with these characteristics need to be given special attention during in-patient care.