455 the Long-Term Outcomes of Electrical Burn Injuries: A Burn Model Systems National Database Study

Electrical burns are severe injuries that often result in a different set of complications than other types of burns. The objective of this study is to examine long-term physical, mental health, and employment outcomes of burn survivors with electrical injuries and compare them to those of survivors with fire/flame injuries. Data from the Burn Model System National Database (1993 - 2015) were analyzed. Individuals over 18 years of age that were alive at time of discharge were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics of those with fire/flame injuries and those with electrical injuries were compared. The following outcome measures were assessed at 24 months post-injury: the Mental Health Composite Scale (MCS) and the Physical Health Composite Scale (PCS) of the 36/12-Item Short Form Health Survey, as well as employment status. Regression analyses were used to compare outcomes of burn survivors with fire/flame and electrical injuries at 24 months post-injury, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, burn size, inhalation injury, number of days on a ventilator, and pre-injury employment status. The study included 2,108 individuals with fire/flame burns and 216 with electrical burns. Those with electrical injuries were younger, had smaller burns and shorter lengths of stay, and were more likely to be male, be burned at work, undergo an amputation, and have neuropathy (Table). In regression analyses, those with electrical burns had significantly lower PCS scores (β=-0.534, p<0.001) and were about half as likely to be employed (OR=0.45, p=0.002) at 24 months post-injury compared to those with fire/flame injuries. MCS scores did not differ between the two groups. Burn survivors with electrical burns experience worse physical function and employment outcomes at 24 months post-injury compared to those with fire/flame injuries. Electrical burns cause significant long-term morbidity, and burn survivors with electrical injuries may require additional treatment. Complications should be closely monitored and addressed at follow-up.