Epidemiology and mortality of burn injuries in Eastern Iran since 2009: An analysis of 2115 cases

Background: Historically, burn injuries have been accompanied by bad prognosis. With the advances in recovering fluids and the early excision of burn scars, the survival rate has enhanced for severe burn patients. Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the epidemiology of burn injuries in Zahedan, Eastern Iran. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study examined 2173 burn patients for eight years. The research data were extracted from patients' files and analyzed by SPSS 22 using the chi square test, t test and ANOVA. Results: In sum, out of 2173 files, 2115 files were analyzed. About two-thirds (71) of burns were due to flame, one-fifth (21.2) to boiling water, and 8 to other means. There was a significant relationship between patients' age, gender, burn percentage, burn degree, burn cause, burn occurrence season, hospitalization duration, and addiction or non-addiction status with rate of death (P < 0.001). Conclusions: In this region of Iran, burn is influenced by families' culture, economy, urban service level, workplace, home heating devices, type of people's clothing, and awareness. The statistical analysis of the existing data completely indicated the epidemiology of burns in Eastern Iran. © 2019, Author(s)