Health status after recovery from burn injury.

Outcome studies after burn injury have become increasingly important as overall mortality from injury has decreased. The present study, concerning physical and psychosocial aspects, is the second part of our larger survey of outcome after burn. The basis of our study instrument was the Abbreviated Burn Specific Health Scale. A postal survey was conducted among 315 patients aged 15-65 years, treated at Töölö Hospital Burns Unit between 11 November 1988 and 31 December 1994. The study series analysed consisted of 124 patients, whose mean total body surface area (TBSA) burned was 13.0%, mean full-thickness (FT) burns 6.2%, mean age 37 years and mean time of hospital treatment 16 days. Statistical analyses were performed with non-parametric tests and a probability level of 0.05 as the limit of statistical significance. Physical function was affected by the severity of the burn and by hand burns. Body image was influenced by FT burns but not by hand or facial injuries. Sexual life was affected by FT burns larger than 20%. Patients older than 25 years, those with TBSA greater than 30%, FT greater than 20% or time of hospitalization over one month were concerned about their general health. The effect of burns on patients' physical and psychosocial life was, however, slight, even with respect to severe injuries.