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Citation
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Gerstl JVE, Ehsan AN, Lassarén P, Yearley A, Raykar NP, Anderson GA, Smith TR, Sabapathy R, Ranganathan K. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Standardized estimates of global economic losses of burn injuries are missing. The primary objective of this study was to determine the global macroeconomic consequences of burn injuries and their geographic distribution.
METHODS: Using the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (2009 and 2019) database, mean and 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) data on incidence, mortality, and disability adjusted life year (DALY) from injuries caused by fire, heat and hot substances were collected. Gross domestic product (GDP) data were analyzed together with DALYs to estimate macroeconomic losses globally using a value of lost welfare approach.
RESULTS: There were 9.0 (95%UI 6.8-11.2) million global burn cases and 111,000 (95%UI 88,000-132,000) mortalities in 2019, representing a total of 7.5 (95%UI 5.8-9.5) million DALYs. This represented welfare losses of 112 (95%UI 78-161) billion USD or 0.09% (95%UI 0.06-0.13%) of GDP. Welfare losses as a share of GDP were highest in LMIC regions Oceania (0.24%; 95%UI 0.09-0.42%) and Eastern Europe (0.24%; 95%UI 0.19-0.30%) compared to high-income country regions such as Western Europe (0.06%; 95%UI 0.04-0.09%). Mortality-to-incidence ratios were highest in LMIC regions highlighting a lack of treatment access, with Southern Sub-Saharan Africa reporting a mortality-incidence-ratio of 40.1 per 1,000 people compared to 1.9 for Australasia.
CONCLUSION: Burden of disease and resulting economic losses for burn injuries are substantial worldwide and are disproportionately higher in LMICs. Possible effective solutions include targeted education, advocacy, and legislation to decrease incidence and investing in existing burn centers to improve treatment access.
Language: en |