Stroke after burn: population data analysis

Abstract

Purpose of the study: We aimed to describe a population cohort study of burns with the prevalence of stroke, and discuss possible etiologies.

Analytical methods: This study uses data obtained from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID2005). The study cohort consisted of all patients who had diagnoses of burn recorded in the database (ICD-9-CM codes 948) between January 1 2004 and December 31 2008 (N=1549).

Main findings: The patients with burn and the comparison cohort are 7410 patients, 146 experienced stroke during the follow-up period of up to 5 years. In average, the burn patients suffered from stroke by 1.48 years after burn. The hazard ratio of stroke was 1.74 (95% CI, 1.15-2.63) for patients with TBSA burn <20%, 3.78 (95% CI, 1.39-10.26) for patients with TBSA burn ≥20%. The adjusted hazard ratio of ischemic stroke was 1.63 for patients with TBSA burn <20%, 2.96 for patients with TBSA burn ≥20%, whereas the hazard ratio of hemorrhagic stroke were not significant (p=0.231).

Conclusions: In our study, severe burned patients, more than 60 years of age, had higher risk of stroke in their recovery life. We suggest close follow up for the burn patients in high risk of stroke.

Keywords: Burn; Health Insurance Database; Stroke.