Functional assessment and scar characteristics in patients with upper-limb burns at a referral center in Paraguay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17795140Keywords:
Burns, Upper extremity, Cicatrix, Rehabilitation, Evaluation studiesAbstract
Introduction: Burns represent a global public health problem, generating significant physical and psychological sequelae. In the upper limbs, these injuries compromise essential daily-life function through retractile and painful scarring.
Objective: To analyze function and scar status in burned upper limbs of patients undergoing rehabilitation at the National Center for Burns and Reconstructive Surgery (CENQUER) during 2022.
Materials and Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional prospective study. The non-probability convenience sample included 39 patients in rehabilitation. Function was assessed with the DASH scale (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) and scar quality with the POSAS scale (Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale).
Results: Males predominated (69.2%) with a mean age of 22 years. The most frequent burn type was AB (deep dermal) at 74.3%. According to DASH, 66.7% of patients had some degree of functional limitation, mainly mild (30.7%) and moderate (25.6%). POSAS assessment showed vascularity and pigmentation as the most altered observer-rated features, while patients perceived greater changes in scar color and hardness.
Conclusions: Upper-limb burns generate persistent functional limitations and significant aesthetic alterations in the young population studied. There is high concordance between clinical assessment and patient perception, underscoring the need for early rehabilitation protocols.
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