Comparison of clinical outcomes in diabetic and non-diabetic burns patients in a national burns referral centre in southeast Asia: A 3-year retrospective review

Objective

Diabetic burns patients may be at risk of worse clinical outcomes. This study aims to further investigate the impact of diabetes mellitus on clinical outcomes in burns patients in Singapore.

Methods

A 3-year retrospective review was performed at the Singapore General Hospital Burns Centre (2011–2013). Pure inhalational burns were excluded. Diabetic (N = 53) and non-diabetic (N = 533) patients were compared, and the impact of diabetes on clinical outcomes, adjusting for confounders, was investigated using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

The diabetic group had a significantly higher incidence of wound infection and severe renal impairment, as well as a longer length of stay, higher number of operations and higher rate of unplanned readmission. ICU admission was significantly associated with hyperglycaemia (OR 5.44 [2.61–11.35], p < 0.001) and a higher total body surface area of burn (OR per 1% TBSA 1.07 [1.05–1.09], p < 0.001). Unplanned readmission was significantly associated with wound infection (OR 4.29 [1.70–10.83], p = 0.002), and mortality associated with a higher TBSA (OR per 1% TBSA 1.1 [1.07–1.14], p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, diabetes mellitus was not significantly associated with unplanned readmission or mortality.

Conclusions

Diabetic burns patients have an increased risk of worse clinical outcomes, including wound infections, renal impairment and longer length of stay.