Epidemiology and prognosis of burn injuries in China: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background Burns are a significant cause of disability and death. Nonfatal burns have drastic impacts on survivors’ lives. This study examines the epidemiological characteristics and prognostic factors of burn injuries of hospitalized patients in China. Methods Literature search was conduct...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Pengcheng Li, Qingqing Zhang, Dongjie Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:European Journal of Medical Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02741-x
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849335077707710464
author Pengcheng Li
Qingqing Zhang
Dongjie Li
author_facet Pengcheng Li
Qingqing Zhang
Dongjie Li
author_sort Pengcheng Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Burns are a significant cause of disability and death. Nonfatal burns have drastic impacts on survivors’ lives. This study examines the epidemiological characteristics and prognostic factors of burn injuries of hospitalized patients in China. Methods Literature search was conducted in online databases and study selection was based on precise eligibility criteria. Meta-analyses of proportions were performed to estimate the relative incidence rates of burn injuries between 1980 and 2022 by age, total body surface area (TBSA), cause, and season. Odds ratios (ORs) were pooled and metaregression analyses were performed to seek prognostic factors for mortality. Results 23 studies (465,433 patients; 33% females [95%CI 30, 35]) were included. Incidence rates were higher for age groups 0–4 and 30–45 years. Incidence was higher in summer (29% [95%CI 27, 30]) and lower in autumn (21% [95%CI 20, 22]). The incidences of mild (TBSA 0–10%), moderate (TBSA 10–30%), severe (TBSA 30–50%), and very severe (TBSA > 50%) burns were 52% [95%CI 45, 59] 27% [95% CI 23, 32], 9% [95%CI 6, 13], and 8% [95%CI 6, 10], respectively. Scald (50% [95%CI 43, 57]) and flame (27% [95%CI 19, 37]) were the main sources of burns. The mortality rate was 3% [95%CI 2, 3]. Age (OR 2.283 [95% CI 1.441, 3.125]), TBSA (2.266 [95% CI 1.708, 2.824), burn severity (OR 1.064 [95% CI 1.025, 1.103]), and inhalation injury (OR 6.670 [95% CI 3.032, 11.308]), and flame burns (metaregression coefficient: 0.128 [95% CI 0.029, 0.227]; p = 0.015) were associated with higher mortality. Conclusions In China, burn injuries remain a serious health concern. Young children (0–4 years of age) constitute a special risk group for safety measures. Burns due to flame are found to be more fatal than other causes.
format Article
id doaj-art-3dc6fb82ac6d4b3a8338a59d995975f3
institution Kabale University
issn 2047-783X
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series European Journal of Medical Research
spelling doaj-art-3dc6fb82ac6d4b3a8338a59d995975f32025-08-20T03:45:24ZengBMCEuropean Journal of Medical Research2047-783X2025-07-0130111010.1186/s40001-025-02741-xEpidemiology and prognosis of burn injuries in China: a meta-analysisPengcheng Li0Qingqing Zhang1Dongjie Li2Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalDepartment of Burns and Plastic Surgery, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalDepartment of Burns and Plastic Surgery, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalAbstract Background Burns are a significant cause of disability and death. Nonfatal burns have drastic impacts on survivors’ lives. This study examines the epidemiological characteristics and prognostic factors of burn injuries of hospitalized patients in China. Methods Literature search was conducted in online databases and study selection was based on precise eligibility criteria. Meta-analyses of proportions were performed to estimate the relative incidence rates of burn injuries between 1980 and 2022 by age, total body surface area (TBSA), cause, and season. Odds ratios (ORs) were pooled and metaregression analyses were performed to seek prognostic factors for mortality. Results 23 studies (465,433 patients; 33% females [95%CI 30, 35]) were included. Incidence rates were higher for age groups 0–4 and 30–45 years. Incidence was higher in summer (29% [95%CI 27, 30]) and lower in autumn (21% [95%CI 20, 22]). The incidences of mild (TBSA 0–10%), moderate (TBSA 10–30%), severe (TBSA 30–50%), and very severe (TBSA > 50%) burns were 52% [95%CI 45, 59] 27% [95% CI 23, 32], 9% [95%CI 6, 13], and 8% [95%CI 6, 10], respectively. Scald (50% [95%CI 43, 57]) and flame (27% [95%CI 19, 37]) were the main sources of burns. The mortality rate was 3% [95%CI 2, 3]. Age (OR 2.283 [95% CI 1.441, 3.125]), TBSA (2.266 [95% CI 1.708, 2.824), burn severity (OR 1.064 [95% CI 1.025, 1.103]), and inhalation injury (OR 6.670 [95% CI 3.032, 11.308]), and flame burns (metaregression coefficient: 0.128 [95% CI 0.029, 0.227]; p = 0.015) were associated with higher mortality. Conclusions In China, burn injuries remain a serious health concern. Young children (0–4 years of age) constitute a special risk group for safety measures. Burns due to flame are found to be more fatal than other causes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02741-xBurn injuriesEpidemiologyPrognosisMortalityMeta-analysis
spellingShingle Pengcheng Li
Qingqing Zhang
Dongjie Li
Epidemiology and prognosis of burn injuries in China: a meta-analysis
European Journal of Medical Research
Burn injuries
Epidemiology
Prognosis
Mortality
Meta-analysis
title Epidemiology and prognosis of burn injuries in China: a meta-analysis
title_full Epidemiology and prognosis of burn injuries in China: a meta-analysis
title_fullStr Epidemiology and prognosis of burn injuries in China: a meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Epidemiology and prognosis of burn injuries in China: a meta-analysis
title_short Epidemiology and prognosis of burn injuries in China: a meta-analysis
title_sort epidemiology and prognosis of burn injuries in china a meta analysis
topic Burn injuries
Epidemiology
Prognosis
Mortality
Meta-analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02741-x
work_keys_str_mv AT pengchengli epidemiologyandprognosisofburninjuriesinchinaametaanalysis
AT qingqingzhang epidemiologyandprognosisofburninjuriesinchinaametaanalysis
AT dongjieli epidemiologyandprognosisofburninjuriesinchinaametaanalysis