Epilepsy related burn injuries in developing country: An experience in National Burn Hospital

Abstract

Objectives: Investigating characteristics and outcome of epileptic related burn injuries. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all burn patients admitted to the National Burn Hospital during three year period (1/1/2016 to 31/12/2018). Patients were divided into two groups including epilepsy group with 137 patients and non-epilepsy group (9809 patients). Recorded criteria included patients’ demographics, burn and epilepsy features relating to burn injuries and treatment outcomes. Results: Epileptic patients accounted for 1.38% total burn admission. More proportion of adult (81.75% vs. 51.09%; p 0.05). Higher surgical number (2.35 vs. 1.03; p < 0.01) and longer hospitalization (22.17 vs. 16.44 days; p < 0.001) were recorded in epileptic group. No significant difference was recorded between two groups in term of complication and mortality rate. Conclusion: Epileptic related burn is still public health issue in developing countries with critical burden due to deep burn injuries and prolong hospitalization. Patients and health professionals need to be aware of such injuries and appropriate prevention strategies. Keywords: Epilepsy, Burns, Outcomes