Quality of life and functional Outcomes among Burn Patients: A Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Burn injuries are a significant health issue leading to physical and emotional complications, impacting both social life and mental health. They necessitate a comprehensive approach for recovery, intertwining various physical and psychological aspects. The primary aim is to sustain a satisfactory level of functionality and life enjoyment, tailored to the individual's essential needs, for an extended period. Objective: The principal objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the quality of life and functional outcomes in burn patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data was gathered from 156 burn patients from three medical facilities: Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital in Gujrat, CMH Kharian, and Jinnah Hospital in Lahore. The Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) questionnaire was employed for data collection. The sample included patients aged 18-65 years with varying degrees of burn severity. Results: Data was processed using SPSS version 25. The average age of the patients was 34 years, with a gender distribution of 53.21% female and 46.79% male. Marital status was divided into 66.03% married and 33.97% unmarried individuals. Socio-economic status revealed 4.49% from upper-class, 41.67% from middle-class, and 53.85% from lower-class levels. The average Quality of Life (QoL) score was 70.42 ± 33.75, indicating a diverse range of experiences among participants. Conclusion: The findings suggest that individuals with burn injuries can achieve a satisfactory quality of life and functional independence. This underscores the importance of comprehensive care and support for burn patients to enhance their overall well-being.