Burden of burn: a norm-based inquiry into the influence of burn size and distress on recovery of physical and psychosocial function.

This prospective, longitudinal study examined the influence of baseline physical and psychological burden on serial assessments of health-related quality of life among adults with major burns from three regional burn centers (n = 162). Physical burden groups were defined by % TBSA burned: <10%, 10% to 30%, or >30%. Psychological burden groups were defined by in-hospital distress using the Brief Symptom Inventory Global Severity Index T-score with scores of < 63 or > or = 63.

Predictors of quality of life as measured by the Burn Specific Health Scale in persons with major burn injury.

To determine 1) change over time in Quality of Life (QOL) and 2) functional, community reentry, and psychosocial predictors of QOL, data were prospectively collected from adults with major burn injury 2 months after hospital discharge (n = 110) and 6 (n = 97) and 12 (n = 69) months after injury. The dependent QOL variable was the Burn Specific Health Scale (BSHS) and the predictor variables were Brief Symptom Inventory, Functional Assessment Screening Questionnaire, Functional Independence Measure, Pain Analog Scale, and Community Integration Questionnaire. BSHS global scores were unchanged across the measurement periods.

Community integration after burn injuries.

Evaluation of community integration is a meaningful outcome criterion after major burn injury. The Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) was administered to 463 individuals with major burn injuries. The CIQ results in Total, Home Integration, Social Integration, and Productivity scores.

The status of burn rehabilitation services in the United States: results of a national survey.

A survey to determine the status of burn rehabilitation services in the United States was developed and sent to 186 burn treatment facilities. The facilities were divided into four groups based upon number of admissions per year (0 to 80, 81 to 120, 121 to 200, and 200+). Completed surveys were received from 114 facilities.

The problem of Social Security disability determination for the burn patient. A report from the Committee on Rehabilitation of the American Burn Association (ABA).

The ABA Rehabilitation Committee has developed a form to be included in the hospital record at discharge that should facilitate the Social Security disability determination process for the burn patient. This form should aid in the disability determination process by guiding the Social Security disability examiner to the pertinent evidence of limitation and chronicity in the often cumbersome medical record and by emphasizing the multiple body system nature of the severe burn injury.