Lack of early platelet and leukocyte activation can indicate complications after major burn injury

BACKGROUND: Major burn injury causes massive tissue destruction consequently enhanced platelet function and leukocyte-mediated inflammatory response. METHODS: In a prospective, observational study 23 consecutive patients with more than 20% body surface burn injury were followed for five days (T1-T5) after admission to a university intensive care (ICU). Platelet and leukocyte antisedimentation rate (PAR and LAR) was measured by one-hour gravity sedimentation. It detects the percentage of total platelet and leukocyte number crossed the half line of blood sample column, therefore, they can be regarded as cells of decreased specific gravity. We aimed to investigate the time course of PAR and LAR after burn injury, as the trend of platelet and the leukocyte activation in the early post-burn period. RESULTS: Daily mean PAR and LAR values continuously increased in the observation period (T1 to T5). Daily mean PAR and LAR were lower in ICU non-survivors (n = 7) compared to survivors (n = 16) between T2 and T4 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). PAR values of septic patients (n = 10) were lower than that of non-septic ones (n = 13, p < 0.01 at T5). CONCLUSIONS: Both PAR and LAR, as novel bedside test can predict septic complications and unfavorable outcome after major burn injury. Further studies with higher sample size are warranted.

Automated summary

The study found that the platelet and leukocyte antisedimentation rate (PAR and LAR) continuously increased in burn injury patients over a five-day period. It also showed that lower PAR and LAR values were associated with ICU non-survivors and septic patients. The results suggest that PAR and LAR could be potential predictors of septic complications and poor outcomes in major burn injury cases. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm these findings.