Seasonal Dynamics in Burn Profiles: A Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis at the Burn Care Centre, PIMS, Islamabad (2016-2022).

Abstract

Seasons have a major impact on the frequency and characteristics of burn injuries; in warmer months, thermal burns from outdoor activities are more common, while in cooler months, incidents involving heating sources and fires are more common. It is essential to comprehend these trends in order to customize safety precautions and awareness initiatives. Studies on the impact of seasonal variations help burn centers allocate resources more effectively in order to prepare for variations in patient volume and severity. Data from January 2016 to December 2022, with an emphasis on burn types excluding nonburn cases, were analyzed retrospectively over a 7-year period at the Burn Care Centre in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. The research examined hospital stays, demographics, burn causes, admissions, total burned surface area, and death rates while dividing the years into winter and summer seasons for analysis. With 4014 admitted patients, the study found that winter admissions increased by 11.007%, with winter admissions accounting for 55.503% of all admissions and summer admissions for 44.496%. The gender distribution stayed the same, with 54.59% of the population being male and 45.99% being female. Hospital stays were longer for summer admissions (16.428) than for winter admissions (11.285). Summertime saw a rise in electric burn cases (307 cases), with a 43 case fatality rate. With 1699 cases, flame burns predominated in the epidemiology of burns, followed by scald burns with 1384 cases. In conclusion, seasonal differences have a substantial impact on burn profiles, with winter seeing a marked rise in occurrences. Men are also more likely to sustain electric burns, particularly in the summer. Effective management and prevention techniques depend on an understanding of these patterns.