Dysphagia in older persons following severe burns: Burn location is irrelevant to risk of dysphagia and its complications in patients over 75 years

Burns are recognised as a common form of trauma [1 –3]. Individuals recognised to be at greatest risk of burn injury in the Australian adult population are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, young males and older persons [4–7]. Management of the older person with burn injury is complex with evidence indicating that advanced age is associated with elevated risk for morbidity and mortality from the time of admission [8]. The presence of dysphagia, characterised by impairments in both the oral and pharyngeal stages of the swallow, is also acknowledged as a potential negative consequence of severe burn injury [9–16] and may fu rther increase the risk of morbidity and mortality due to dysphagia related complications.
Source: Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries - Category: Cosmetic Surgery Authors: Source Type: research