Clinical and Demographic Predictors of Survival in Elderly Burn Patients Aged 65 and Older: A Retrospective Analysis in an Appalachian Cohort.

Background Elderly burn patients, particularly those aged 65 and older, represent a vulnerable population with unique clinical challenges. This study aims to evaluate clinical and demographic factors associated with survival outcomes in elderly burn patients within an Appalachian cohort. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 198 patients aged ≥65 years admitted to a tertiary care center in Appalachia. Patient demographics, comorbidities, burn characteristics, and outcomes were analyzed. Bivariate analyses, including chi-square tests, t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests, were used to identify factors associated with discharge status (alive vs. deceased). Results The mean age of the cohort was 72.6 ± 6.1 years, with 65.2% male participants. The overall survival rate was 85.9%. Key findings included a statistically significant association between age and survival (p = 0.031), with older patients more likely to experience mortality. Inhalation injuries were strongly associated with increased mortality (p < 0.001). Patients who died had a higher median total burn surface area (TBSA) of 30.0% (interquartile range (IQR): 10.0-50.0) compared to 5.0% (IQR: 1.0-10.0) in survivors (p < 0.001). Other variables, including comorbidities, BMI, and burn source, did not demonstrate statistically significant associations with mortality. Conclusions Age, inhalation injury, and TBS were significant predictors of mortality in elderly burn patients. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions and resource allocation for high-risk patients, particularly in underserved regions like Appalachia. Further research is needed to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.