Mr. Burns (Metabolic Rate in Burns)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Long title: In vivo cellular and physiological response to severe burns injuries.
IRAS ID
171699
Contact name
Marcela Vizcaychipi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Chelsea and Westminister Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 24 days
Research summary
Severe burns patients represent one of the most challenging cohorts of unwell patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
These patients develop an exaggerated response to their burns injuries resulting in a continuous state of stress. This continuous state of stress leads to weight loss, muscle waste and depression of the immune system which made patients prone to infection, prolonged stay in hospital and high risk of hospital death.
Despite all the technological advances we still do not know the exact mechanism by which the body mounts this exaggerated response to burns injuries. It is unclear whether this exaggerated response is instigated by the burns itself or it is part of the healing process.
Treatment for this exaggerated response to burns is provided through nutritional supplements, and medications such as beta-blockers (that slows down the heart rate and decreases the blood pressure with the aid to control the body response to burns) and oxandrolone (similar to testosterone, with the aid to build up muscles). Whilst preventing weight loss is key in improving the outcome of patients suffering severe burns, we also know that overfeeding patients can also alter patients’ conditions negatively.
For this reason, the research project proposed here aims to measure the exact changes in patients’ response to burns injuries (metabolic rate) during the first 72 hours of their arrival to the Burns Intensive Care Unit through the use of a calorimetry machine. Additional to the monitoring of the metabolic rate, we will monitor the functions of other organs of the body (heart, kidneys, liver and hormone levels). Thus, we will be able to establish whether, according to our theory, patients’ metabolisms do increase and if so when. Also, by testing the responses of major organs and hormones, we will be able to establish whether they are responsible for instigating these metabolic changes.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1764
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion