Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de las personas afectadas por quemaduras después de la cicatrización, Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: Burn injuriess affect the quality of life of the injured as a consequence of deformities and loss of bodily function. Objective: Changes in the quality of life related to the health were described in the people who had been affected by burns. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in Medellín, Colombia, enrolled 130 people who suffered burns in the period 2001-2005. A standard quality-of-life survey consisting of 36 questions (the SF-36 scale) was administered. Statistical data were tested with Mann Whitney-U, Student-t, ANOVA, and Kruskal Wallis. Ethical considerations were met within the framework of resolution 8430/93 of the Colombian Ministry of National Health. Results: The number of burns showed an increasing trend each year. Men were most often affected (66.9%) and severe burns were the most common (58%). The main burn sources were the fire flames, targeted attacks and gunpowder burns. The component of change of health upper obtained the average (55.3±19.2) and those of emotional performance (30.2±42.9), and physical performance (31.1±43.6) lowest, finding significant differences in those of physical performance (p=0.039) and general health (p=0.034) according to burn degree. Conclusion: In spite some inconsistency, the most affected quality-of-life components were the physical and emotional performance, with an overall presentation of a low quality-of-life related to health.