Predicting Mortality in Burn Patients: Literature Review of Risk Factors for Burn Mortality and Application in Scoring Systems.

Abstract

Despite advances in medical technology, mortality due to burn injuries remains significant. Scoring systems are aimed at allowing physicians to effectively and accurately predict the mortality of a given patient. Patients at a higher risk of death from burns include older patients over the age of 65, high-severity burn, presence of co-morbidities, and presence of inhalation injury. Constructing a burn prediction model also needs its own methodological standards. Hence, choosing a prediction model for predicting burn mortality requires careful analysis of its methodology. Attention towards mortality risk factors should be taken when treating burn patients. Tools such as burn prediction models prove helpful in aiding physicians to accurately and effectively predict a patient's mortality, stratify patient severity, and allocate resources appropriately, especially in settings where resources are scarce, such as natural disasters. Additionally, prediction models are used to monitor patient care and for research purposes.