The Influence of Obesity on Treatment and Outcome of Severely Burned Patients

J Burn Care Res. 2019 Oct 16;40(6):996-1008. doi: 10.1093/jbcr/irz115.

Abstract

Obesity and the related medical, social, and economic impacts are relevant multifactorial and chronic conditions that also have a meaningful impact on outcomes following a severe injury, including burns. In addition to burn-specific difficulties, such as adequate hypermetabolic response, fluid resuscitation, and early wound coverage, obese patients also present with common comorbidities, such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, the pathophysiologic response to severe burns can be enhanced. Besides the increased morbidity and mortality compared to burn patients with normal weight, obese patients present a challenge in fluid resuscitation, perioperative management, and difficulties in wound healing. The present work is an in-depth review of the current understanding of the influence of obesity on the management and outcome of severe burns.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia
  • Burns / complications
  • Burns / therapy*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / complications
  • Dyspnea / complications
  • Gastrointestinal Motility
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Length of Stay
  • Liver Diseases / complications
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Metabolic Diseases / complications
  • Nutritional Status
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Patient Care Team
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Pneumonia / etiology
  • Rehabilitation
  • Respiration, Artificial / adverse effects
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications
  • Stress, Physiological
  • Thromboembolism / etiology
  • Wound Healing