The Role of Nutrition After Minor Burns

Phase 1 Aim To study energy- and protein requirements after minor burns in adults (TBSA < 20 %).

Research questions Do energy- and protein requirements increase after minor burns? Do energy- and protein requirements proportionally increase with the severity of injury; depth and extent after minor burns? Study design/methods Sample size: 84 patients and 84 healthy control subjects (matched by age, gender and BMI).

Method: All consecutive burns, admitted for treatment at Uppsala Burn Center, fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria are asked to take part in this phase. Oral and written informed consent is collected. Patients background data (severity of burn injury, including depth and extent, and the treatment thereof, concomitant diseases and medications, age, weight, height, gender, socioeconomic status, alcohol- and tobacco use, physical activity level using activity meters, as well as data from questionnaire obtained from routine standard of care at Burn Center about sleep, quality of life, pain and depression) will be collected. Measure (indirect calorimetry) and calculate energy requirement (Mifflin St Jeor equation x Injury Factor x physical activity level) within 2 weeks after injury and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after injury. Measure nitrogen balance (nitrogen balance = nitrogen intake - nitrogen loss). Collecting data from blood sample to measure inflammatory response (albumin, transferrin, CRP), if the body can use more protein (urea) and measurement of normal kidney function (cystatin-C).Collecting data from 24-h-urine collection, urea for calculation of nitrogen balance to distinguish between protein intake compared and muscle breakdown. Data for calculation of protein intake from nutritional assessment and 4-day food record. Results are compared with 84 healthy control subjects measured with indirect calorimetry, blood sample, urine collection, and intake measurement.

Phase 2 Aim To describe nutritional status in adult patients after minor burns. Nutritional status is defined as to what degree physiological nutrient needs are met (energy- and protein intake compared to measurements and calculations, carbohydrate-, fat-, vitamin-, and mineral intake compared to estimated average requirements. Weight and muscle mass compared to normal body composition and its development over time).

Research questions Do minor burns affect nutritional status? Does nutritional status differ related to injury severity? Sample size: 84 patients included in Phase 1 are asked to take part in this study.