TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - Increased self-immolation frequency and severity during the COVID-19 pandemic
JO  - Burns: journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
A1  - Jackson, Shane R.
A1  - Jung, Mia
A1  - Karunaratne, Gehan
A1  - Mackenzie, Katherine
A1  - Gillies, Rowan
A1  - O'Hara, Justine
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the increased restrictions, isolation and stressors associated with COVID-19 led to an increase in rates or severity of self-immolation burn injuries. <br><br>DESIGN: Retrospective review of a prospectively-collected database of New South Wales burn patients, comparing 2020 data with the preceding 5 years. SETTING: Both adult units in the New South Wales Statewide Burn Injury Service (Concord Repatriation General Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital). PARTICIPANTS: All adult patients in New South Wales with self-inflicted burn injuries between 1st January 2015 and 31st December 2020. OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic information, precipitating factors, burn severity, morbidity and mortality outcomes. <br><br>RESULTS: We found18 episodes of self-immolation in 2020, compared to an average of 10 per year previously. Burn size significantly increased (43% total body surface area vs 28%) as did revised Baux score (92 vs 77). Most patients had a pre-existing psychiatric illness. Family conflict and acute psychiatric illness were the most common precipitating factors. <br><br>CONCLUSION: 2020 saw an increase in both the frequency and severity of self-inflicted burn injuries in New South Wales, with psychiatric illness a major factor.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0305-4179
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2022.01.002
ID  - ref1
ER  -