Epidemiology of electrical burns: a 10-year retrospective analysis of 376 cases at a burn centre in South China

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological profile and associated outcomes of electrical injuries at a major burn centre in southern China. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled consecutive electrical burn patients admitted to the burn centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between 2008 and 2017. Demographic and clinical data and outcomes were recorded. Mann–Whitney U tests/Pearson’s chi-squared tests were used to examine the differences between low-voltage and high-voltage injuries. Results: There were 217 high-voltage injuries and 159 low-voltage injuries. High-voltage burns were frequently observed between March and August, and low-voltage burns peaked between June and September. Burn patients were mainly men. Most burns occurred in participants aged 21 to 50 years and in industrial workers and electricians at work or householders at home. Only one person with high-voltage burns died (a mortality rate of 0.46%). Amputation rates were 37.33% for high-voltage burns and 22.01% for low-voltage burns. High-voltage injuries were associated with more extensive burns, longer hospital stays, and more complications and amputations. Conclusions: More attention should be paid to prevention of electrical burns in male adults. Particular focus is needed on industrial workers, incidents in the spring and summer, and high-voltage injuries.