Exploring Ethnic Disparities in Burn Injury Outcomes in the UK: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Background: Burn injuries are among the most distressing injuries, affecting approximately 250,000 people annually in the UK. While extensive research has explored how gender, health, and socioeconomic factors influence burn injury rates, ethnic disparities in burns have received less attention.

Methods: The review followed the PRISMA framework for database searches. Search terms included concepts of ethnicity and burn injuries in the UK.

Results: From the initial 3339 search results, 11 studies were selected following the eligibility screening. White ethnic groups made up 52.4% of admissions, whereas Asians and Black groups made up 24.9% and 5.9%, respectively. Trends showed a decline in admissions among White patients and a rise in admissions among Black patients. Children aged 1 to 5 years were most affected, particularly in the Asian and Black groups. Males constituted 58.0% of admissions, while females accounted for 42.0%. Most burns occurred at home, with scalds, particularly among children. Ethnic minorities were more likely to apply unsuitable topical treatments and had higher rates of psychological referrals.

Conclusions: The review underscores important ethnic disparities in burn injuries and outcomes. Targeting policies to address them could result in a more equitable healthcare system and improved outcomes for burn patients in the UK.