Inhalation injury is associated with long-term employment outcomes in the burn population: Findings from a cross-sectional examination of the Burn Model System National Database

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239556
• Publication Date: 2020-09-23T17:33:20Z
• Authors: Olivia R. Stockly; Audrey E. Wolfe; Gretchen J. Carro...; Barclay T. Stewart; Nicole S. Gibran; Steven E. Wolf; Kara McMullen; Alyssa M. Bamer; Karen Kowalske; William G. Cioffi; Ross Zafonte; Jeffrey C. Schneider; Colleen M. Ryan
• Keywords: Inhalation exposure; Burn center

Introduction Inhalation injuries carry significant acute care burden including prolonged ventilator days and length of stay. However, few studies have examined post-acute outcomes inhalation injury survivors. This study compares the long-term burn survivors with without injury. Methods Data collected by Burn Model System National Database from 1993 to 2019 were analyzed. Demographic clinical characteristics for adult examined. Outcomes included employment status, Short Form-12/Veterans Rand-12 Physical Composite Score (SF-12/VR-12 PCS), Mental MCS), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) at 24 months post-injury. Regression models used assess impacts sociodemographic covariates on outcome measures. All controlled demographic characteristics. Results 1,871 individuals analyzed (208 injury; 1,663 injury). The population had a median age 40.1 years, 68.8% male, 69% White, non-Hispanic. Individuals that sustained an larger size, more operations, longer lengths hospital stay (p<0.001). less likely be employed post-injury compared (OR = 0.63, p 0.028). There no differences in PCS, MCS, or SWLS scores between groups adjusted regression analyses. Conclusions significantly other health-related quality life similar groups. suggests distinct which may inform future resource allocation treatment paradigms.