Incidence of Hypertrophic Scar in Burn Patients

Abstract

Hypertrophic scarring represents an aberrant response to burn injuriese
result of excess collagen deposition. It maps present for months while
keloid scars, which may never regress over time. This is a cross-sectional
study that was performed at AlNasiriya Teaching Hospital in Thi-Qar
Province during the period from November 1, 2024, to February 1, 2025.
The goal was to determine the incidence and functional characteristics of
hypertrophic scars in burn patients. Structured interviews and a
questionnaire-based form were used for data collection, including
demographic data and evaluation of burn injuries (burn cause, burn
severity, location, signs and symptoms, hypertrophic scar formation, and
treatment interventions). A total of 20 subjects were included in the study,
with 10 subjects per age range (15–30 years and 31–50 years). 60% of the
sample was male, and 55% of participants were from rural regions. The
most frequent injury was a thermal burn (70%), followed by oil burns
(20%) and chemical burns (10%). The most common site for scars was
the lower limb (30%). These findings illustrate the clinical features and
demographic variables of burn injuries in the study population. The
majority were second-degree burns. The most frequent site of scarring
was the lower limb and pruritus developed as the most frequent symptom.