A Rare Case of Severe Burn Injury to the Oropharynx Caused by a Flare Gun

Flare gun injuries are rare, and patients often present with complex trauma that may require multiple operative interventions. Our objective is to explore a case of a 15-year-old male, who presented with second-degree flame burns to the face, left upper extremity and bilateral hands, as well as third-degree burns to the oropharynx and a tongue laceration after a flare gun was discharged into his mouth. The patient underwent multiple debridements of the oral cavity and oropharynx, and his hospital course was complicated by an intra-oral abscess. He eventually made a full recovery and was discharged. This case not only illustrates the need for early operative intervention, but it also underscores the need for awareness campaigns that highlight the dangers of flare guns and similar devices.

The Cost of Mental Health Comorbid Conditions in Burn Patients: A Single-site Experience

Many burn survivors suffer from psychiatric sequelae long after their physical injuries have healed. This may even be more pronounced in individuals who have a history of mental health disorders prior to admission. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical outcomes of patients with previously diagnosed mental health disorders who were admitted to our Burn Center. This was a single-site, retrospective review using our institutional Burn Center registry. All adult patients (18 years or older) admitted to our Burn Center between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2021 with burn injury or inhalation injury were included in this study. Variables of interest included demographics and burn mechanism. Outcomes of interests were length of stay, cost of hospitalization, and mortality. A P-value of < .05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. There were 4958 patients included in this study, with 35% of these patients having a previous diagnosis of mental health disorders. Patients with mental health disorders were younger, with larger burns, P < .05. They had significantly longer lengths of stay and significantly higher costs (P < .00001). Mortality for those with a mental health disorder history was 2% and 3% for those without (P = .04). Patients with pre-existing mental health disorders had decreased odds of mortality. However, they do have extended lengths of stay, which may exhaust current sparse staff and burn bed resources.

Does A History of Malignancy Lead to Worse Outcomes in a Single-center Burn Unit?

A history of malignancy is associated with worse outcomes in cardiac disease and trauma. Our objective was to determine if a past medical history or comorbid condition of cancer portends an increased morbidity or mortality in burns or skin-sloughing disorders at our institution. Patients were identified using our Institutional Burn Center registry and linked to the clinical and administrative data. All patients admitted between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2021 were eligible for inclusion. Demographics, length of stay, comorbid conditions and mortality were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests. Seven thousand three hundred seventy-two patients were admitted during this time period. Three hundred eighty-six patients had a history of cancer (5%). Patients with a history of cancer were older (56 vs 44 years, P < .0001). They had a significantly longer length of stay (16 vs 10 days, P < .0001). They also had larger burns and higher hospital costs ($147,021 versus $83,788, P < .0001), were more likely to be male and more likely to have a skin-sloughing disorder. A history of cancer was not associated with increased odds of burn mortality. Thus, a history of cancer is associated with increased lengths of stay and costs in patients admitted for burn injury or skin-sloughing disorders, but not associated with increased mortality. Further study is warranted to investigate and mitigate what aspects of their care could be adjusted to improve outcomes.

Outcomes in Pediatric Burn Patients With Additional Trauma-Related Injuries

The addition of trauma to burn injuries may result in higher morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of pediatric patients with a combination of burn and trauma injuries, and included all pediatric Burn only, Trauma only, and combined Burn-Trauma patients admitted between 2011 and 2020. Mean length of stay, ICU length of stay, and ventilator days were highest for the Burn-Trauma group. The odds of mortality were almost 13 times higher for the Burn-Trauma group when compared to the Burn only group (P = .1299). After using inverse probability of treatment weighting, the odds of mortality were almost 10 times higher for the Burn-Trauma group in comparison to the Burn only group (P < .0066). Thus, the addition of trauma to burn injuries was associated with increased odds of mortality, as well as longer ICU and overall hospital length of stay in this patient population.

Outcomes of COPD Patients with Flame Burn and Inhalation Injuries at a Single Institution

The presence of any comorbid condition may lead to worse outcomes after burn injury. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition with significant morbidity and mortality. In 2018, about 16 million adults in the United States reported a diagnosis of COPD based on data from the American Lung Association. The objective of this study was to explore the outcomes of patients with COPD admitted to our Burn Center with flame burns and/or inhalation injury. Patients were identified using our Institutional Burn Center registry and linked to the clinical and administrative data. All adult flame-injured and/or inhalation injury-only patients admitted to our burn center between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2020 were included. Demographics, length of stay, burn, and patient characteristics and outcomes, including mortality, were evaluated. Four thousand three hundred ninety-seven patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into two populations, those with COPD (n = 515) and those without a diagnosis of COPD (n = 3882). Patients with COPD were older, more likely to be white and male, and had smaller sized burns, p < .001. Patients with COPD were more likely to be smokers and have comorbid conditions. There was no statistically significant difference between the incidence of inhalation injury, lengths of stay, or number of ventilator days. Burn size and inhalation injury increased mortality risk regardless of COPD severity, as did age among those not on home oxygen. More studies are needed to determine the genomic or proteomic changes in patients with COPD that lead to worse outcomes after flame injury, and/or inhalation injury alone.

COVID-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis in a 4-year-old female: a case report and literature review

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are conditions characterized by an immune-mediated skin reaction that results in blistering and epidermal detachment. Most cases are caused by drug hypersensitivity; however, recently there have been many publications documenting the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and SJS/TEN. Our objective is to explore a case of a 4-year-old female who presented with a papular rash on her thighs that progressively worsened and spread to her face, trunk, and genital area. The patient tested positive for COVID-19. She required treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and IV methylprednisolone, but eventually made a full recovery. This case underscores the need for awareness of the wide spectrum of dermatologic presentations in COVID-19 patients.

Impact of Chronic Alcohol Use on Fluid Resuscitation in Burn Patients

Acute alcohol intoxication in burn patients has been associated with increased mortality, renal dysfunction, and difficulty with adequate fluid resuscitation. It is less clear how chronic alcohol use, regardless of intoxication status on admission, impacts patient outcomes. In this study, we examine varying levels of alcohol use in burn patients and its impact on both short- and long-term outcomes.

713 Mortality Benefit After Addition of Mid-level Support in Burn Intensive Care Unit

Introduction

Burn Intensive Care Units (BICU)s are resource-heavy and labor-intensive units with very sick patients. The removal of burns as a requirement from the surgical curriculum has decreased the number of rotating surgical trainees, but did not impact patient care needs. Our unit adopted an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) service model in fiscal year 2018 to provide consistent standardized clinical care, with surgical trainees rotating monthly, to mitigate the loss of residents over time. We aimed to critically evaluate the impact of an APP run BICU on mortality and quality improvement initiatives.

Methods

Patients were identified using Institutional Burn Center registry, and linked to the clinical and administrative data. All patients admitted to the BICU between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2020 were eligible for inclusion. All central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI), catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), ventilator associated pneumonias (VAP) and mortality rates were compared. Demographics, length of stay (LOS), co-morbid conditions and mortality were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with Students’ t-test, and chi-squared tests. Significance was accepted as p< 0.05.

Results

There were no significant differences in admission rates over the study period. The number of CLABSIs significantly decreased each year (15 (2017), 6 (2018), 5 (2019), 3 (2020)). The number of CAUTIs significantly decreased ((13 (2017), 6 (2018), 1 (2019), 3 (2020)). The number of VAPs significantly decreased ((15(2017), 12 (2018), 7 (2019), 3 (2020)). Mortality was unchanged from 2017-2019 but significantly decreased in 2020 ((2.2% (2017), 2.4% (2018), 2.5% (2019), 0.9% (2020)).

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in admission rates over the study period. The number of CLABSIs significantly decreased each year (15 (2017), 6 (2018), 5 (2019), 3 (2020)). The number of CAUTIs significantly decreased ((13 (2017), 6 (2018), 1 (2019), 3 (2020)). The number of VAPs significantly decreased ((15(2017), 12 (2018), 7 (2019), 3 (2020)). Mortality was unchanged from 2017-2019 but significantly decreased in 2020 ((2.2% (2017), 2.4% (2018), 2.5% (2019), 0.9% (2020)).

738 Does A History of Malignancy Lead to Worse Outcomes in Burns?

Introduction

A history of malignancy is associated with worse outcomes in cardiac disease and trauma. Our objective was to determine if a past medical history of cancer portends increased morbidity or mortality in burns or skin-sloughing disorders.

Methods

Patients were identified using our institutional Burn Center registry and linked to the clinical and administrative data. All patients admitted between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2021 were eligible for inclusion. Demographics, length of stay (LOS), co-morbid conditions, and mortality were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with Students’ t-test, chi-squared, and Fischer’s exact test.

Results

A total of 8,018 patients were admitted during this period, and of those patients, 436 had a history of cancer (5%). Patients with a history of cancer were older (56 years versus 44 years), p< 0.0001. They had a significantly longer LOS. They had larger burns and higher hospital costs. They were more likely to be female and more likely to have a skin-sloughing disorder. Patients with a history of cancer also had higher mortality rates.

Conclusions

A history of cancer is associated with worse outcomes in patients admitted for burn injury or skin-sloughing disorders. Further study is warranted to investigate and mitigate what aspect of their care could be adjusted to improve outcomes.

737 Prevalence and Outcomes of HIV Infection Among Burn Patients at a Single Institution

Introduction

Burn injuries are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pre-existing conditions may further complicate a patient’s outcome and delay wound healing. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains an ongoing problem globally and contributes to the morbidity of patients with burn injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of individuals with HIV in the United States was 1.2 million in 2018. Burn patients and those with desquamating skin disorders are already in an immunocompromised state, and thus, the effect of HIV on the healing and recovery process can be significant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of HIV-positive patients admitted to our Burn Center.

Methods

This was a single-site, retrospective review using our institutional Burn Center registry. All adult patients (18 years or older) admitted to our Burn Center between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2020 who were HIV-positive were included in this study. All adult patients who were HIV-negative and admitted during the same period were included for comparative purposes. Variables of interest included demographics, burn mechanism, length of stay (LOS), cost of hospitalization, and mortality.

Results

There were 32 HIV-positive burn patients and 16 HIV-positive patients with desquamating skin disorders (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis). For the burn group, the mean age was 46.9 years +/- 10.6 years, and the mean total body surface area (TBSA) involvement was 3.2% +/- 4.2%. The mean LOS among HIV-positive burn patients was 9.13 days +/- 17.73 days, and the mean cost of hospitalization was $54,613. For the desquamating skin disorders group, the mean age was 47.1 years +/- 13.9 years, and the mean TBSA was 16.2% +/- 29.0%. The mean LOS was 17.25 days +/- 25.26 days, and the mean cost of hospitalization was $138,358. In terms of overall hospital mortality, there were no deaths among HIV-positive burn patients; however, the mortality was 25% among HIV-positive patients with desquamating skin disorders (n = 4). When both groups were compared to HIV-negative patients, overall hospital mortality remained higher among HIV-positive patients with desquamating skin disorders.

Conclusions

Management of HIV-positive burn patients presents a unique challenge for clinicians due to the immunocompromised state of this patient population. The challenge may even be more pronounced in HIV-positive patients with desquamating skin disorders as demonstrated in this study.

782 Achieving Optimal Care in Burns Using Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guidelines

Introduction

Burns are a major cause of accidental injury and death in the United States. Based on reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.1 million burn injuries require medical care each year. Even though 96.7% of individuals treated at burn centers will survive, many of the more extensive injuries require multiple surgical procedures, extensive pain control regimens, and prolonged intubation and hospitalization. We aim to establish a set of guidelines addressing the pre-, intra- and post-operative care of our burn patients.

Methods

Over the years, there has been a profound interest in developing and implementing an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocol, such as those already in place across a range of surgical subspecialties. Since its initial development in 1997 by Henrik Kehlet for colorectal surgery, ERAS has evolved into a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, nutritionists, and nursing staff. It is an evidence-based multimodal protocol focused on lowering recovery time and post-operative complications while also addressing the entire patient journey from admission to discharge. An ERAS protocol for Burn Surgery has yet to be created and will need to focus on some of the major challenges involved in the care of burn patients including fluid management, pain control, nutritional status, potential prolonged ventilation, and long-term rehabilitation.

Results

This set of guidelines will address the pre-operative care of our burn patients (e.g., acetaminophen and pregabalin/gabapentin on-call to the operating room), as well as the intra- and post-operative care (e.g., periodic lactate levels, operating room temperature at 85 degrees Fahrenheit, continued ketamine infusion for burns > 30% TBSA). These guidelines will be further evaluated in a clinical setting via a feasibility study to determine whether they would improve the overall outcome of our burn patients.

Conclusions

An ERAS protocol in Burn Surgery needs to address the challenges and complexities of treating burn patients, and should be aimed at the pre-, intra-, and post-operative care of this patient population.

91 Comparison of a Polylactic Acid Skin Substitute to Porcine Xenograft for Pediatric Partial Thickness Burns

Introduction

In August of 2020, our institution transitioned from porcine xenograft to a polylactic acid skin substitute for the management of pediatric partial thickness burns. This change in treatment was due to the discontinuation of porcine xenograft by the primary supplier to the United States. We sought to make a length of stay (LOS), postoperative pain score, postoperative dressing change, and cost analysis of the polylactic acid skin substitute as compared to porcine xenograft for the treatment of pediatric burns.

Methods

Patients were identified using an institutional Burn Center registry and linked to clinical and administrative data. All pediatric patients admitted between January 1^st, 2019 and March 31^st, 2021 who sustained partial thickness burns were eligible for inclusion. LOS, burn etiology, total burn surface area (TBSA), postoperative pain scores, postoperative dressing changes, complications, infections, and hospital cost were evaluated.

Results

A total of 259 patients were identified, 47 of whom received the polylactic acid skin substitute and 212 of whom received xenograft. Average age for polylactic acid skin substitute patients was 5.4 years with 51.1% male, average age for xenograft patients was 4.6 years with 58.5% male. Average LOS for polylactic acid skin substitute patients was 3.4 days and 3.2 days for xenograft patients (p = 0.45). Etiology of burns was 83.0% scald and 10.6% flame for polylactic acid skin substitute patients and 80.2% scald and 9.40% flame for xenograft patients (p = 0.66 and p = 0.71, respectively). Polylactic acid skin substitute patients had an average TBSA of 5.3% and xenograft patients an average TBSA of 4.3% (p = 0.11). Postoperative pain scores on postoperative day (POD) 1 were 1.1 for polylactic acid skin substitute and 1.2 for xenograft (p = 0.13). Average number of inpatient postoperative dressing changes was equivalent between the polylactic acid skin substitute and xenograft (p = 0.62), while average day of first postoperative dressing change was POD 10.9 for the polylactic acid skin substitute and POD 9.9 for xenograft (p = 0.15). Neither group had postoperative infections, though xenograft had a complication rate of 1% with 2 patients while the polylactic acid skin substitute had 0%. Polylactic acid skin substitute patients had an average hospital cost of $28,415 and xenograft patients an average of $27,935 (p = 0.80).

Conclusions

A polylactic acid skin substitute is equivalent to porcine xenograft in LOS, postoperative pain, postoperative dressing changes, and cost in the setting of similar age, burn etiology, and %TBSA. More analysis with wound healing indices and safety profiles could determine the clinically superior choice.

540 Burn-Specific Triage Guidelines in State-Based Crisis Standards of Care

Introduction

In times of crisis, medical institutions must utilize contingency plans to ensure the highest quality of patient care. When these plans are overwhelmed, crisis standards of care may be adopted, resulting in modifications in resource allocation. The current coronavirus pandemic has created tremendous strains on hospitals throughout the world, with periodic shortages in equipment, PPE, ICU beds, and personnel. These pressures have been great enough at times to result in several states implementing crisis standards of care to allow hospitals to triage patients and "do the most good possible for the largest number of people with limited resources". However, these guidelines may not account for the unique needs of burn patients, whose care is often resource intensive. We examined state-based crisis standards of care guidelines in the United States to ascertain the degree to which triage of burn patients was addressed.

Methods

Internet search engines were used to locate state-specific actionable “crisis standards of care” or “scarce resource allocation” policies available before October 1, 2021. Once identified, these guidelines were further examined to determine whether explicit information was provided to direct the triage of burn patients.

Results

Of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, only 35 states (70%) were confirmed to have official crisis standards of care policies that could be implemented by healthcare institutions during the current pandemic. Additionally, guidelines from non-government entities were identified for 4 states (Florida Bioethics Network, Ohio Hospital Association, Missouri Hospital Association, and West Virginia Hospital Association). Of the 39 plans available, only 13 (26%) provided specific information regarding triage of burn patients during implementation of crisis standards of care.

Conclusions

Crisis standards of care are heterogenous throughout the United States and have varying levels of specificity. The majority of states and the District of Columbia do not provide clear, actionable guidance on the triage of burn patients.

705 Reduction in Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection Rate with a Central Line Change-Over Protocol

Introduction

Burn Intensive Care Units (BICU)s traditionally have changed central lines over a wire (COWs) as a method to reduce infection. To date, there is not a standard timeline for this process and every center has their own timeline for this process. We aimed to create a standardized process for this practice to then have a baseline for future study.

Methods

The Change-Over-Wire (COW) process was evaluated with the BICU Infection Control Nurse and Performance Improvement Manager. A protocol was developed that includes step-by-step detail that was modified until it was deemed practical and acceptable to all involved parties as the best practice for maintaining the most sterility as possible. The protocol was provided to the Central Line team, the ICU Advisory Board, and the UNC CLABSI committee for review

Results

While the hospital as a whole does not standardly endorse routine COWs, the protocol was reviewed and accepted as best practice by both the ICU Advisory Board and the UNC CLABSI committee. Additionally, the BICU had an 80% reduction in CLABSI’s from FY 2017 to 2020 with implementation of this protocol (p value = 0091).

Conclusions

Having a standardized method for COWs both allows for best practice and a starting point for study. Endorsement by both hospital committees allows this practice to be the published standard by which future studies can be measured.

719 Effects of Obesity on Outcomes of Adult Burn Patients at a Single Institution

Introduction

Obesity is a global epidemic that continues to worsen. In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults were considered overweight worldwide and over 650 million were obese. It is well-known that excess adipose tissue may alter inflammatory and immune mediator regulations, which can lead to challenges in managing resuscitation efforts, respiratory support, and thromboprophylaxis of burn patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of burn patients with obesity at our institution.

Methods

This was a single-site, retrospective review using our institutional Burn Center registry. All adult patients (18 years or older) admitted to our Burn Center between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2021 who were classified as obese (i.e., body mass index > 30.0) were included in this study. All adult patients who were classified as underweight, normal weight, or overweight were also included for comparative purposes. Variables of interest included demographics, burn mechanism, length of stay (LOS), cost of hospitalization, and mortality.

Results

There were 7,626 patients included in this study, with the largest percentage of patients included in the obese category (38.4%). Among the obese population, most of the patients (53.2%) were classified under ‘Obesity Class I’ (i.e., body mass index 30.0 – 34.9). The majority of patients in each category were male, except in the ‘Obesity Class III’ category (i.e., body mass index > 40.0) where 54.8% of the population were female. The mean age of the entire study sample was 44.9 years +/- 17.5 years, while the mean total body surface area (TBSA) involvement was 5.1% +/- 10.0%. The mean LOS of the entire study population was 10.3 days +/- 22.6 days, with patients in the ‘Obesity Class III’ category having the longest LOS with 14.0 days +/- 36.5 days. The cost of hospitalization was lowest in the overweight group with $82,661, while the highest cost was in the ‘Obesity Class III’ group with $130,683. The overall hospital mortality for the entire study population was 3.0% with the highest mortality noted in the ‘Obesity Class III’ group (4.7%).

Conclusions

Obesity affects all aspects of a burn patient’s care throughout their hospitalization. In our study, obesity was associated with longer LOS, cost of hospitalization, and mortality; therefore, it is imperative to understand the negative effects that obesity can have on burn patients, not just in terms of their acute management, but also their continued care after hospitalization.

702 Outcomes of COPD Patients with Burn Injuries at a Single Institution

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition with significant morbidity and mortality. In 2018, about 16 million adults in the United States reported a diagnosis of COPD based on data from the American Lung Association. Home oxygen is often used in more severe cases of COPD, and despite warnings against smoking while using home oxygen, many patients continue to sustain burn injuries. An existing diagnosis of COPD can further complicate management of a burn patient, especially if there is concomitant inhalation injury present. The objective of this study was to explore the outcomes of COPD patients admitted to our Burn Center.

Methods

This was a single-site, retrospective review using our institutional Burn Center registry. All adult patients with flame burns (18 years or older) admitted to our Burn Center between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2020 who had a history of COPD with and without home oxygen use were included in this study. All adult patients with flame burns, who did not have a history of COPD, were included for comparative purposes. Variables of interest included demographics, burn mechanism, length of stay (LOS), ICU and ventilator days, and mortality.

Results

There were a total of 4,397 patients with flame burns included in this study, and 515 of those patients were identified to have an existing diagnosis of COPD. The mean age of the COPD group was 45.1 years +/- 13.0 years, and the patient population was predominantly male (60.4%). The mean total body surface area (TBSA) involvement was 5.12% +/- 10.38%. Inhalation injury was present in 10.1% of patients with COPD and in 7.8% of those without COPD. The mean LOS for the COPD group was 11.9 days +/- 19.4 days and 13.4 days +/- 31.0 days for the non-COPD group. The mean ICU LOS for the COPD group was 11.2 days +/- 19.9 days and 18.0 days +/- 37.0 days for the non-COPD group. The mean number of ventilator days was 16.5 days +/- 35.4 days for the COPD group and 26.3 days +/- 42.0 days for the non-COPD group. The overall hospital mortality was 10.3% for the COPD group and 4.3% for the non-COPD group.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the overall hospital mortality was highest in the COPD group. Although hospital and ICU length of stay, as well as the number of ventilator days were higher in the non-COPD group, it remains clear that an existing diagnosis of COPD can negatively impact the outcomes of burn patients.

553 Does COVID-19 Lead to Worse Outcomes in A Burn Center?

Introduction

The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) has exhausted resources and devastated at-risk populations. Our objective was to determine if COVID-positive patients have worse outcomes compared to COVID-negative patients after burn injury or desquamating skin disorders.

Methods

Patients were identified using our institutional Burn Center registry and linked to the clinical and administrative data. All patients admitted between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021 were eligible for inclusion. Demographics, length of stay (LOS), co-morbid conditions, and mortality were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with Students’ t-test, chi-squared, and Fischer’s exact test.

Results

A total of 1,994 patients were admitted during this period, and of those patients, 1,467 were adults. Twenty-three adults were COVID-positive. There were no significant differences in age, LOS, total body surface area (TBSA) involvement, hospital costs, sex, race or ethnicities of patients. There were no significant differences in percentage of patients presenting for burn or desquamating skin disorders. COVID-positive adult patients had a significantly higher mortality after injury than COVID-negative adults, p=0.003. There were no differences in COVID-positive pediatric patients admitted to our burn center.

Conclusions

A positive COVID test is associated with worse outcomes in patients admitted for burn injury or skin-sloughing disorders. Further study is warranted to investigate and mitigate what aspect of their care could be adjusted to improve outcomes.

128 Mental Health Outcomes in Burn Patients: A Single-site Experience

Introduction

Burn injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients worldwide. Many survivors continue to suffer from psychiatric sequalae long after their physical injuries have healed. This may even be more pronounced in groups who have a history of mental health disorders prior to admission. Common pre-injury mental health problems may include substance abuse disorders, as well as affective, psychotic, and personality disorders. The aim of this study was to explore the outcomes of patients with previously diagnosed mental health disorders who were admitted to our Burn Center.

Methods

This was a single-site, retrospective review using our institutional Burn Center registry. All adult patients (18 years or older) admitted to our Burn Center between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2021 who had a previous history of mental health disorders were included in this study. All adult patients who did not have any previous history of mental health disorders were also included for comparative purposes. Variables of interest included demographics, burn mechanism, length of stay (LOS), cost of hospitalization, and mortality. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses.

Results

There were 7,976 patients included in this study, with 32% of these patients having a previous diagnosis of mental health disorders. The mean age was 43.5 years, and the mean total body surface area (TBSA) involvement was 5.9%. Both the groups with a history of mental health disorders and those without were predominantly male (63.8% versus 68.0%). Most patients were flame-injured in both groups (44.5% versus 40.9%). The mean LOS for those with mental health disorder history was 14.5 days compared to 8.3 days for those without (p < 0.00001). The overall cost of hospitalization was $133,967 for those with mental health disorder history and $65,993 for those without (p < 0.00001). The overall hospital mortality for those with mental health disorder history was 2.3% and 3.4% for those without (p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Although there was no increase in mortality among patients with pre-existing mental health disorders, we did find that there was an increase in the hospital length of stay, as well as the overall cost of hospitalization. These findings do indicate that individuals with pre-existing mental health disorders do not necessarily have worse outcomes in terms of mortality; however, they may need access to care for longer periods of time, which may contribute to increased medical costs.

529 Outcomes of Total Parenteral Nutrition Use in Burn Patients at a Single Institution

Introduction

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has been widely used among critically ill patients. Some of the controversy surrounding parenteral nutrition stems from its early use in the 1980s, which primarily focused on hyperalimentation. In burn patients, nutritional support is a critical aspect of treatment. The metabolic rate in this patient population can be greater than twice the normal rate, and this hypermetabolic response can last more than a year after the burn injury has occurred. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients in our Burn Center who received TPN during their hospitalization.

Methods

This was a single-site, retrospective review using our institutional Burn Center registry. All adult patients (18 years or older) admitted to our Burn Center between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2021 who had received TPN during their hospitalization were included in this study. Adult patients who had not received TPN were included for comparative purposes. Variables of interest included demographics, burn mechanism, length of stay (LOS), ICU and ventilator days, and mortality.

Results

There were 20 burn patients who received TPN during their hospitalization. Of those patients who received TPN, 90% were male. The mean age was 45 years, and the mean total body surface area (TBSA) involvement was 32%. The mean resting energy expenditure (REE) was 3,084. On average, the time from day of admission to initiation of TPN was 40 days, and the mean length of TPN administration was 20 days. The overall decrease in patient weight from admission to discharge was 10%. The mean LOS for the TPN group was 118 days. The mean LOS in the ICU was 92 days. The mean ventilator days were 89 days. The overall hospital mortality of patients who received TPN was 20%. When matched with patients who had similar TBSA involvement and who had not received TPN, there was no difference in mortality. However, there was a significant difference in weight loss (4% for non-TPN group), overall LOS (63 days), ICU LOS (29 days), and ventilator days (31 days).

Conclusions

Burn patients who received TPN during their hospitalization had a greater decrease in their overall weight, had a longer hospital and ICU length of stay, and were ventilated longer than those patients who did not receive TPN. These findings are to be expected given that patients who receive TPN tend to be more critically ill, and therefore, require more nutritional support.

742 Is There a Mortality Benefit of Being Well-Insured in Burns?

Introduction

The purpose of the Affordable Care Act was to make affordable health insurance available to more people, to cover adults with fewer resources, and to facilitate delivering health care in a cost-effective way. Burn care is both financially and medically intense, expensive, and prolonged. We aimed to compare outcomes of patients treated at a tertiary care center with no insurance, those considered under-insured (Medicare/Medicaid), and those with private/commercial insurance.

Methods

Patients were identified using our institutional Burn Center registry and linked to the clinical and administrative data. All adult patients admitted to the Burn Center between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2020 were eligible for inclusion. Demographics, length of stay (LOS), co-morbid conditions and mortality were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with Students’ t-test and chi-squared.

Results

A total of 9,306 patients were admitted during the study period. Forty-one percent of patients had private/commercial insurance. Thirty-four percent were under-insured, while 25% of patients had no insurance. Total body surface area (TBSA) of the burn was significantly higher for the under-insured, p< 0.05. Mortality was significantly higher for the under-insured, p< 0.05. The average LOS for the under-insured was 14.7 days, which was significantly longer than that for the insured (9.2 days) and for those without insurance (7.4 days), p< 0.05.

Conclusions

There are outcome disparities secondary to insurance coverage in burns. Under-insured patients had poorer outcomes than those with private/commercial insurance and those without insurance.

Single-Center Experience with Mass Paraquat Exposure in Nine Patients

Paraquat dichloride is a widely used, highly toxic chemical herbicide and a significant cause of fatal poisonings. Toxicity is thought to be secondary to generation of reactive oxygen species. Hours after exposure, patients may experience signs and symptoms ranging from nausea to multi-system organ failure. To mitigate complications and death, immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroid-based therapies have shown to be an effective option in limited studies. Our objective is to report our center's experience treating patients that had been exposed to paraquat over a two-day period. Patients were identified using our Institutional Burn Center registry, and linked to the clinical and administrative data. Demographics, length of stay, costs and mortality were evaluated. There were nine patients admitted from the exposure. All were male. All survived. Eight were undocumented migrant farmers. The average age was 36 years (25-59 years). The average length of stay was 3.3 days (2-5 days). Seventy-eight percent had cutaneous injury, but only one required debridement and placement of a skin substitute. Thirty-three percent complained of continued shortness of breath after discharge. Average total hospital cost was $28,131 ($9,500-$51,000). Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide and exposure can be fatal if not treated promptly. Immediate decontamination and repeated pulse therapy with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone may be life-saving.

Higher Admission Frailty Scores Predict Increased Mortality, Morbidity, and Healthcare Utilization in the Elderly Burn Population

The Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale is a validated rapid assessment of frailty phenotype and predictor of mortality in the geriatric population. Using data from a large tertiary care burn center, we assessed the association between admission frailty in an elderly burn population and inpatient outcomes. This was a retrospective analysis of burn patients ≥ 65 years from 2015-2019. Patients were assigned to frailty subgroups based on comprehensive medical, social work, and therapy assessments. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate associations between admission frailty and 30-day inpatient mortality. Our study included 644 patients (low frailty: 262, moderate frailty: 345, and high frailty: 37). Frailty was associated with higher median TBSA and age at admission. The 30-day cumulative incidence of mortality was 2.3%, 7.0%, and 24.3% among the low, moderate, and high frailty strata, respectively. After adjustment for age, TBSA, and inhalation injury, high frailty was associated with increased 30-day mortality, compared to low (HR 5.73; 95% CI 1.86, 17.62). Moderate frailty also appeared to increase 30-day mortality, although estimates were imprecise (HR 2.19; 95% CI 0.87-5.50). High frailty was associated with increased morbidity and healthcare utilization, including need for intensive care stay (68% vs 37% and 21%, p<0.001) and rehab or care facility at discharge (41% vs 25% and 6%, p<0.001), compared to moderate and low frailty subgroups. Our findings emphasize the need to consider pre-injury physiological state and the increased risk of death and morbidity in the elderly burn population.

Acuity Is Seasonal in a Tertiary Care Burn Center

Supply and demand dictate resource allocation in large academic institutions. Classic teaching is that burns is a seasonal specialty with winter being the "busiest" time of year. Resident allocation during the winter and summer months, however, is traditionally low due to the holidays and travel peaks. Our objective was to evaluate our acuity-defined as patient complexity-based on seasons, in order to petition for appropriate mid-level provider allocation. We performed a retrospective review of all admissions to an accredited, large academic burn center. All patients admitted between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018 were eligible for inclusion. Demographics, length of stay, injury characteristics, and mortality were evaluated. Thirteen thousand four hundred fifty-eight patients were admitted during this study period. Most patients were admitted during the summer. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit were more likely to be admitted in the winter, although this was not statistically significant. Winter admissions had the longest lengths of stay, and the highest incidence of inhalation injury. Female and elderly patients were more likely admitted during the winter. There was a significant difference in mortality between summer and winter seasons. Acuity is seasonal in our large academic burn center and resource allocation should align with the needs of the patients. This data may help large centers petition their institutions for more consistent experienced mid-level providers, specifically during critical seasons.

In Patients with Lower Extremity Burns and Osteomyelitis, Diabetes Mellitus Increases Amputation Rate

In this retrospective analysis, we investigated the rate of radiologically confirmed osteomyelitis, extremity amputation and healthcare utilization in both the diabetic and non-diabetic lower extremity burn populations to determine the impact of diabetes mellitus on these outcomes. The burn registry was used to identify all patients admitted to our tertiary burn center from 2014 to 2018. Only patients with lower extremity burns (foot and/or ankle) were included. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test, chi-squared test, and Fischer's exact test. Of the 315 patients identified, 103 had a known diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and 212 did not. Seventeen patients were found to have osteomyelitis within three months of the burn injury. Fifteen of these patients had a history of diabetes. Notably, when non-diabetics were diagnosed with osteomyelitis, significant differences were observed in both length of stay and cost in comparison to their counterparts without osteomyelitis (36 vs 9 days; p=0.0003; $226,289 vs $48,818, p=0.0001). Eleven patients required an amputation and 10 (90.9%) of these patients had comorbid diabetes and documented diabetic neuropathy. Compared to non-diabetics, the diabetic cohort demonstrated both a higher average length of stay (13.7 vs 9.2 days, p-value=0.0016) and hospitalization cost ($72,883 vs $50,500, p-value=0.0058). Our findings highlight that diabetic patients with lower extremity burns are more likely to develop osteomyelitis than their non-diabetic counterparts and when osteomyelitis is present, diabetic patients have an increased amputation rate. Further study is required to develop protocols to treat this population, with the specific goal of minimizing patient morbidity and optimizing healthcare utilization.

Association Between Alcohol, Substance Use, and Inpatient Burn Outcomes

The use of alcohol and illicit substances has been associated with impaired judgment and health, but the effect on inpatient outcomes after burn injury remains unsettled. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of alcohol and illicit substance use on our inpatient burn outcomes. Adult patients admitted with burn injury-including inhalation injury only-between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2019 were eligible for inclusion. Alcohol use and illicit drug use were identified on admission. Outcomes of interest included requiring mechanical ventilation, admission to the intensive care unit, length of stay, and inpatient mortality. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate the effects of use on inpatient outcomes. A total of 3476 patients were included in our analyses; 8% (n = 284) tested positive for alcohol, 10% (n = 364) tested positive for cocaine, and 27% (n = 930) tested positive for marijuana and at admission. Two hundred and eighty adults (18% of all positive patients) tested positive for at least two substances. Patients who tested positive for alcohol had longer lengths of stay and were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit. Patients who tested positive for cocaine had longer overall and intensive care unit lengths of stay. No differences in inpatient outcomes were seen among patients who tested positive for marijuana. Neither alcohol nor illicit substance use appears to affect inpatient mortality after burns. Alcohol and cocaine use significantly increased overall length of stay. Marijuana use had no impact on inpatient outcomes.

Single-center Experience with Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis for Obese Burn Patients

Burn injured patients are at high risk of thromboembolic complications. Morbid obesity further increases this risk. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of enoxaparin dosed 40 mg twice daily in achieving prophylactic plasma anti-Xa levels in obese burn patients. A retrospective chart review from November 2018 until September 2019 identified patients who were either ≥100 kg or had a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and initiated on enoxaparin 40 mg twice daily for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Patients were ≥18 yr of age and received ≥3 sequential doses of enoxaparin with appropriately timed peak plasma anti-Xa levels to monitor efficacy. One hundred forty-eight patients were screened with 43 patients included for analysis. Forty-two percent of the patients did not reach target peak plasma anti-Xa levels (0.2-0.5 IU/ml) on enoxaparin 40 mg twice daily. Patients who did not meet prophylactic target levels were more likely to be male (P < 0.05) and have an increased mean body weight (129 ± 24 kg vs 110 ± 16 kg, P < 0.05). Thirteen out of 18 patients received dosage adjustments with subsequent anti-Xa levels available for follow-up assessment, of which an additional six patients required further dosage adjustment to meet prophylactic goals. Current utilization of a fixed 40 mg twice daily regimen of enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is inadequate to meet target prophylactic peak plasma anti-Xa levels in the obese burn patient population. Dose adjusting enoxaparin to target anti-Xa levels to reduce VTE rates in obese burn patients should be further evaluated.

COVID-19 related admissions to a regional burn center: The impact of shelter-in-place mandate

The ramifications from the 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel corona virus will be felt globally for years to come. Mandates to shelter-in-place were called in nearly every state to limit viral exposure. The impact of the mandate on acute burn admissions was unknown. Our objective was to assess the impact of a shelter-in-place order on acute burn admissions at our burn center. All patients admitted to the burn center with burn injuries- including inhalation injury only- and desquamating skin disorders between March 10th to May 22nd, 2020 were eligible for inclusion. We compared all burn center admissions to a month-matched historical cohort from 2019, and summertime admissions for the last five years. Statistical significance was accepted as p < 0.05. There was a 9% increase in pediatric admissions after the shelter-in-place order. Compared to the 2019 cohort, there was a 28% increase in admissions of school aged children in 2020. This was not statistically significant. While the purpose of the "shelter-in-place" mandate was to reduce viral transmission of COVID-19, it consequently led to an increased percentage of admissions of school age children- comparable to our summertime numbers. More outreach and education are needed to provide safe resources for families during this pandemic.

Work-Related Burn Injuries in a Tertiary Care Burn Center, 2013 to 2018

The features of work-related burn (WRB) injuries are not well defined in the literature and they vary depending on geographical location. We wanted to describe these characteristics among patients treated in the UNC Burn Center to evaluate the potential impact of commonly accepted prevention efforts. Adults of working age, admitted between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2018, were identified using our Burn Center Registry. Demographic data, characteristics of injury, course of treatment, and patients' outcomes were described. Differences between work-related and non-work-related injuries were evaluated using the Chi-square test and Student t-test where appropriate. Three thousand five hundred and forty-five patients were included. WRB cases constituted 18% of the study population, and this proportion remained relatively stable during the study timeframe. Young white males were the majority of this group. When compared with non-WRB patients, they were characterized by fewer co-morbidities, decreased TBSA burns, decreased risk of inhalation injury, shorter time of intensive care treatment, shorter lengths of hospital stay, and lower treatment cost. In contrast to non-WRB, among which flame injuries were the main reason for admission, work-related patients most often suffered scald burns. They also had a dramatically increased proportion of chemical and electrical burns, making the latter the most common cause of death in that group. WRB are characterized by a characteristic patient profile, burn etiologies, and outcomes. Learning specific patterns at this group may contribute to optimize work safety regulations and medical interventions.

Bias in alcohol and drug screening in adult burn patients

Alcohol and illicit drug use are common among burn-injured patients. Urine toxicology and alcohol screens are a part of our admission order sets and automatically ordered for all adult patients. Our objective was to determine the impact of bias in screening compliance and compare those results to patients who test positive. All adult patients admitted between January 1^st, 2014 and December 31^st, 2018 were eligible for inclusion. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify potential predictors for compliance in obtaining samples for screens, and patient characteristics associated with testing positive. Four thousand nine hundred ninety-eight patients were included in the study. The biggest predictors for compliance in obtaining samples for screens were inhalation injury, intensive care unit stay, length of stay, burn size, and current smoking status. No differences in compliance with screens were seen across age, race, or ethnicity. Current smokers and patients with a history of major psychiatric illness were more likely to test positive for alcohol and illicit drugs. Non-Hispanic Black patients were more likely to test positive for illicit drugs. Male sex and pre-existing psychiatric conditions were significant predictors for compliance for alcohol screens, and, positive tests. Implicit bias based on age, race, or ethnicity played no predictive role in compliance for either screen, however, non-Hispanic Blacks were more likely to test positive for illicit drugs. More studies are needed to understand the effect of selection bias related to sample collection, and the significance of positive test results.

COVID-19 related admissions to a regional burn center: The impact of shelter-in-place mandate

The ramifications from the 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel corona virus will be felt globally for years to come. Mandates to shelter-in-place were called in nearly every state to limit viral exposure. The impact of the mandate on acute burn admissions was unknown. Our objective was to assess the impact of a shelter-in-place order on acute burn admissions at our burn center. All patients admitted to the burn center with burn injuries– including inhalation injury only– and desquamating skin disorders between March 10th to May 22nd, 2020 were eligible for inclusion. We compared all burn center admissions to a month-matched historical cohort from 2019, and summertime admissions for the last five years. Statistical significance was accepted as p < 0.05. There was a 9% increase in pediatric admissions after the shelter-in-place order. Compared to the 2019 cohort, there was a 28% increase in admissions of school aged children in 2020. This was not statistically significant. While the purpose of the “shelter-in-place” mandate was to reduce viral transmission of COVID-19, it consequently led to an increased percentage of admissions of school age children- comparable to our summertime numbers. More outreach and education are needed to provide safe resources for families during this pandemic.

Death Due to Fractal Wood Burning: An Emerging Public Health Problem

The art of pyrography, burning designs in wood, dates back to prehistory. Risks of traditional techniques included cutaneous burns and airway injury. Fractal wood burning is a niche technique using a high-voltage electrical source to burn branched designs into wood. While this technique has grown in popularity, the associated risks are not well understood. We describe a patient who presented to our burn center after sustaining high-voltage electrical injuries while making fractal wood art using an improvised a high-voltage transformer. During the wood-burning process, he contacted the electrodes and suffered full-thickness electrical burns to the neck, chest, and bilateral upper extremities. Bilateral upper extremity fasciotomies were performed on admission. Multiple subsequent operations culminated with autografting to most of the wounds and complex reconstruction of the left thumb. In evaluating online news reports, we found 25 unique individuals with death or injury attributed to fractal wood burning from July 2016 to January 2020. Five sustained substantial injuries, while 20 reportedly died. Ages ranged from 17 years old to the 60s. One death and one injury occurred in females, with the remainder of reports involving males. Of the survivors, four sustained significant upper extremity electrical injuries and three suffered cardiac arrest at the time of injury. Fractal wood burning is associated with devastating high-voltage electrical injuries and death. Prevention efforts should be focused on education about the potential for death and permanently disabling injuries from this art form.

Osteomyelitis Increases the Rate of Amputation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Lower Extremity Burns

In patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), amputation rates exceed 30% when lower extremity osteomyelitis is present. We sought to determine the rate of osteomyelitis and any subsequent amputation in our patients with DM and lower extremity burns. We performed a single-site, retrospective review at our burn center using the institutional burn center registry, linked to clinical and administrative data. Adults (≥18 years old) with DM admitted from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018 for isolated lower extremity burns were eligible for inclusion. We evaluated demographics, burn characteristics, comorbidities, presence of radiologically confirmed osteomyelitis, length of stay (LOS), inpatient hospitalization costs, and amputation rate at 3 months and 12 months after injury. We identified 103 patients with DM and isolated lower extremity burns. Of these, 88 patients did not have osteomyelitis, while 15 patients had radiologically confirmed osteomyelitis within 3 months of the burn injury. Compared to patients without osteomyelitis, patients with osteomyelitis had significantly increased LOS (average LOS 22.7 days vs 12.1 days, P = .0042), inpatient hospitalization costs (average $135,345 vs $62,237, P = .0008), amputation rate within 3 months (66.7% vs 5.70%, P &lt; .00001), and amputation rate within 12 months (66.7% vs 9.1%, P &lt; .0001). The two groups were otherwise similar in demographics, burn injury characteristics, access to healthcare, and preexisting comorbidities. Patients with DM and lower extremity burns incurred increased LOS, higher inpatient hospitalization costs, and increased amputation rates if radiologically confirmed osteomyelitis was present within 3 months of the burn injury.

868 Guideline for Discharge Opioid Prescription Management in Adult and Pediatric Burn Patients

Introduction

Pediatric and adult burn survivors are at risk for chronic opioid dependency. Conversely, undertreatment of pain can negatively affect mental health and patient compliance. Overtreatment has arguably led to the current opioid legislation. Despite an opioid-limiting mandate, there has been little direction for streamlining prescribing practices and there has been no guideline established to facilitate prescribing practices for burn patients. We evaluated the efficacy of a standard opioid prescribing schedule (SOPS) for surgical patients admitted greater than four days, based on pain scores, in our adult and pediatric burn patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective review conducted between June 2018 to June 2019 of our prescribing practices compared to a newly established standardized prescribing schedule. All patients admitted to the burn center were included if they had a length of stay longer than 4 days, and were prescribed oxycodone doses between 0-60mg within the last 24 hours of their stay. The primary outcome was amount of oxycodone prescribed upon discharge compared to the doses they received within their last 24hrs before and after the SOPS was established.

Results

The year before the SOPS was developed, we prescribed an average of 140mg of oxycodone to our pediatric patients upon discharge, even when they used 0mg within 24 hours of discharge. We prescribed an average of 165mg of oxycodone to adult patients who required 0mg 24hrs prior to discharge. We prescribed an average of 200mg to adult patients who required 15mg. We prescribed an average of 235mg to adult patients who required 35mg. We prescribed 310mg to adult patients that required the maximum of 60mg within their last 24 hours. This represented 0% compliance. After adopting the surgical standard opioid prescribing schedule to determine doses, we became 87.5% complaint with all patients and saw no increased in readmissions for pain.

Conclusions

An institutional guideline for discharge opioid prescribing practices has reduced the number of opioid pills patients take home, and the risk for overtreatment. A Standardized Opioid Prescribing schedule for burn patients is feasible and merits further investigation.

Applicability of Research to Practice

This study demonstrates the benefits of a standardized prescribing schedule and its applicability to burn patients.

Leech therapy in cutaneous surgery and disease

BACKGROUND

Over the ages, the use of leeches in medicine has evolved from haphazard bloodletting to a well-understood physiologic process with defined, rational applications.

OBJECTIVE

The authors describe the current role of leech therapy in cutaneous surgery and medicine.

METHODS

Case series and review of the literature.

RESULTS

Leech saliva contains anticoagulative, anti-aggregative and vasodilatory components. Combined with the annelid's mechanical ability to extract blood, leeches can contribute to patients' health with minimal risks.

CONCLUSION

Leeches should be considered as novel therapies for disorders of coagulation and venous congestion. Implementation of leech treatment should be tempered with the potential adverse effects, including Aeromonas infection and a drop in hematocrit that might require a blood transfusion.

Acute alcohol inhibits the induction of nuclear regulatory factor kappa B activation through CD14/toll-like receptor 4, interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor receptors: a common mechanism independent of inhibitory kappa B alpha degradation?

BACKGROUND

Nuclear translocation and DNA binding of the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is an early event in inflammatory cell activation in response to stimulation with bacterial components or cytokines. Cell activation via different receptors culminates in a common pathway leading to NF-kappaB activation and proinflammatory cytokine induction. We have previously shown that acute alcohol inhibits NF-kappaB activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human monocytes. Here we investigated whether acute alcohol treatment of human monocytes also inhibits NF-kappaB when induced through activation of the interleukin (IL)-1 or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors.

METHODS

Human peripheral blood monocytes were treated with LPS, TNFalpha, and IL-1beta in the presence or absence of 25mM alcohol for 1 hr. NF-kappaB activation was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays using nuclear extracts. Inhibitory kappaB(alpha) (IkappaB(alpha)) was estimated by Western blotting in cytoplasmic extracts. Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human CD14 were treated with LPS in the presence or absence of alcohol to study NF-kappaB and IkappaB(alpha) regulation.

RESULTS

Our results indicate that acute alcohol inhibits IL-1beta- and TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation. We further show in CD14/toll-like receptor 4-expressing Chinese hamster ovary cells the specificity of alcohol-mediated inhibition of NF-kappaB via the toll-like receptor 4/CD14 receptors. Inhibition of NF-kappaB by acute alcohol was concomitant with decreased levels of the IkappaB(alpha) molecule in the cytoplasm of LPS, IL-1, and TNFalpha-activated monocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest a unique, IkappaB(alpha)-independent pathway for the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by acute alcohol in monocytes. Universal inhibition of NF-kappaB by acute alcohol via these various receptor systems suggests a target for the effects of alcohol in the NF-kappaB activation cascade that is downstream from IkappaB(alpha) degradation. Further, these results demonstrate that acute alcohol is a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation by mediators of early (LPS) or late (IL-1, TNF(alpha)) stages of inflammation in monocytes.