Burn Causes Prolonged Insulin Resistance and Hyperglycemia

More than 500,000 burn injuries occur annually in the United States [1]. Although most of these burn injuries are minor, approximately 40,000 to 60,000 burn patients require admission to a hospital or major burn center for appropriate treatment [2]. Advances in therapeutic strategies, based on improved understanding of resuscitation, enhanced wound coverage, improved treatment of inhalation injury, more appropriate infection control, and better support of the hypermetabolic response to injury, have significantly improved the clinical outcome of this unique patient population over the past years [3]. However, severe burns remain a devastating injury affecting nearly every organ system and leading to significant morbidity and mortality [4]. One of the main contributors to adverse outcome of this patient population is the profound metabolic changes associated with insulin resistance and hyperglycemia [4].