Thermal injury in patients with seizure disorders: an opportunity for prevention

J Burn Care Res. 2007 Mar-Apr;28(2):318-23. doi: 10.1097/BCR.0B013E318031A161.

Abstract

Serious burn injuries are a potential threat to patients with seizure disorder. There are limited studies addressing this issue. Therefore, a retrospective study was undertaken with two goals: one to develop better understanding of this potential threat and two to create a prevention message regarding seizure-related burns. The burn center registry was reviewed to ascertain the number of patients who sustained burn injury during or directly after a seizure from 2000 to 2005. Thirty-two patients were admitted (44% female, 56% male) with mean age of 39 years (SD +/- 10.4) after sustaining a burn during or after a seizure. Average TBSA was 8.3% (SD +/- 4.8) with 72% of patients experiencing full-thickness burns. The three most prevalent etiologies were falling into a stove while cooking (34%; n = 11), falling on hot pavement (31%; n = 10), and falling into a campfire (9%; n = 3). A full 88% of patients (n = 28) reported a previous diagnosis of seizure disorder, whereas the other 9% (n = 3) reported seizures related to alcohol consumption. Laboratory reports revealed 20 patients (63%) had subtherapeutic levels of antiseizure medication, 1 patient (3%) had toxic levels, and 5 patients (16%) were not being treated for seizures. Upon discharge, 23 patients went home with family, 5 were discharged to skilled nursing, 1 to a homeless shelter, 1 died, and 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Because of the severe burns observed in epileptic burn patients, a burn-prevention brochure was developed and is being distributed to seizure patients and their families.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Anticonvulsants / blood
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Arizona
  • Burns / complications*
  • Burns / prevention & control*
  • Epilepsy / complications*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Pamphlets
  • Patient Discharge
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Racial Groups / statistics & numerical data
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • Trauma Severity Indices
  • Treatment Refusal / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants