Risk factors for and characteristics of dysphagia development in thermal burn injury and/or inhalation injury patients: a systematic review protocol.

Abstract

REVIEW QUESTION / OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to identify, critically appraise and synthesize the best available evidence on risk factors for the development of dysphagia (swallowing impairment) in thermal burn injury and/or inhalation injury patients, More specifically, the objectives are to: i. Examine the current evidence on factors, including medical interventions such as intubation, that are associated with the development of dysphagia in adults and children with thermal burn injury and/or inhalation injury ii. Examine the current evidence on the characteristics of dysphagia (such as sensory or physiological impairment, anatomical stage [oropharyngeal versus laryngeal] and dysphagia duration) as a result of thermal burn injury and/or inhalation injury on adults or children. INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants This review will consider studies that include children (two to -17 years) and adults (≥ 18 years) who have sustained any thermal burn injury of any size to anybody area and/or inhalation injury, and been admitted to an Intensive Care Unit, Burns Intensive Care Unit or burns unit for management of their injury. Studies that include patients with significant multi-trauma in addition to burn injury will be excluded. Types of interventions/phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that evaluate swallowing function following thermal and/or inhalation injury. In regards to investigating the evidence regarding risk of dysphagia development, studies that examine risk factors including but not limited to head and neck or facial burns, inhalation injury and/or tracheostomies as part of their medical management will be considered for inclusion. Studies investigating TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS