Predicting mortality in adult burned patients: methodological aspects of the construction and validation of a composite ratio scale.

This article describes the methodology of construction and validation of a composite measurement scale (CMS) to predict the risk of death for burned patients, with severity of burn considered as a continuous phenomenon. Three large data sets of burned patients hospitalized in France were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to construct a prognostic model, based on age and initial evaluation of total body surface area burned. The resulting model appears to be a valid clinical tool for predicting the risk of death. In addition, the devised CMS has satisfactory content and construct validity and reliability, and provides a high measurement level (logistic ratio level). Moreover, its simplicity of use (the score is integer based) is appropriate for the daily activities of burn unit physicians, emergency medical technicians, and public health professionals.