The aim of this observational study is to investigate the role of the glucose-potassium ratio in predicting mortality in patients with major burn trauma.

The main question it aims to answer is: Can the glucose-potassium ratio predict mortality in major burn patients? The glucose-to-potassium ratios of major burn patients at the time of initial hospitalization will be determined, and their relationship with mortality will be analyzed.

Major burns, especially electrical burns, facial burns, inhalation burns, burns with large burn surface areas, and deep burns, have a high mortality risk. Early detection of this risk may be critical to reducing mortality rates. For this reason, trauma centers are working on rapid and effective prognostic markers. In trauma and stress situations, glucose levels rise while potassium levels fall due to increased catecholamines. The literature reports that hyperglycemia, also known as the glucose-potassium ratio, can rapidly and effectively predict morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage, pulmonary embolism, traumatic brain injury, or blunt abdominal trauma. Many publications show that increased glucose is associated with mortality and morbidity in critical illnesses and trauma. The isolated glucose-potassium ratio has a higher predictive ability for mortality and morbidity compared to glucose and potassium levels. In this study, investigators aimed to examine the prognostic value of the glucose-to-potassium ratio in participants with major burn trauma.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All burns >40% of total body surface area (2nd degree or deeper)
• Burns with inhalation injury
• Burns >20% of total body surface area 3nd degree or deeper

Exclusion Criteria:

• First degree burns
• Patients have more than 24 hours since the onset of burn trauma
• Patients with diabetes mellitus
• Patients with chronic renal failure
• Patients taking potassium-modifying medication
• Patients with missing data

The study population consisted of patients of all age groups who were admitted to the burn center between May 2022 and May 2024 with 2nd degree and deeper burns of 40% and above total burn surface area, 3rd and 4th degree burns of 20% and above total burn surface area, and inhalation burns. Patients with missing data, patients with burn trauma of more than 24 hours since the onset of burn trauma, 1st degree burns, patients with diabetes mellitus or renal failure, and patients using potassium-regulating drugs were excluded from the study.