WP3.8 - Estimating the Disease Burden and Epidemiological Characteristics of Burn Injuries in the United Kingdom: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study 2019

Abstract Background Burn injuries pose a substantial public health challenge globally, with profound physical, psychosocial, and financial consequences for individuals, households, and communities. This study aims to assess the disease burden and epidemiological characteristics of burn injuries in the United Kingdom (UK). Methods Utilising data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019, we estimated the prevalence, age-standardised incidence, and years lived with disability (YLD) for burn injuries in the UK. Burn injuries were further classified based on the total burn surface area (TBSA), distinguishing between <20% and >= 20% TBSA. Result In 2019, the age-standardised incidence rate of burn injuries in the UK was estimated at 330.65 per 100,000 (268.59-409.52). Incidence rates have demonstrated a stable downtrend since 1990. Over 90% of burn injuries in the UK were categorised as <20% TBSA. Younger age groups experienced a higher disease burden. England exhibited the highest age-standardised incidence rate of burn injuries (344.98 per 100,000), along with a threefold higher rate of burn injuries >20% TBSA (29.64 per 100,000) compared to Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The burden of disability attributed to burn injuries in the UK was estimated at 84.38 YLD per 100,000 (49.16-139.56), with the highest burden observed in England (88.90 per 100,000). Conclusion This study underscores the substantial disease burden imposed by burn injuries in the UK, alongside disparities in their distribution and warrant further studies in addressing the social and economic determinants of burn injuries.