Prevalence of intra-abdominal hypertension and markers for associated complications among severe burn patients: a multicenter prospective cohort study (BURNIAH study)

Purpose: Severely burned patients are at risk for intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and associated complications such as organ failure, abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), and death. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IAH among severely burned patients. The secondary aim was to determine the value of urinary intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) as early marker for IAH-associated complications. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in two burn centers in the Netherlands. Fifty-eight patients with burn injuries ≥ 15% of total body surface area (TBSA) were included. Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and urinary I-FABP, measured every 6 h during 72 h. Prevalence of IAH, new organ failure and ACS, and the value of urinary intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) as early marker for IAH-associated complications were determined. Results: Thirty-one (53%) patients developed IAH, 17 (29%) patients developed new organ failure, but no patients developed ACS. Patients had burns of 29% (P ₂₅–P ₇₅ 19–42%) TBSA. Ln-transformed levels of urinary I-FABP and IAP were inversely correlated with an estimate of − 0.06 (95% CI − 0.10 to − 0.02; p = 0.002). Maximal urinary I-FABP levels had a fair discriminatory ability for patients with IAH with an area under the ROC curve of 74% (p = 0.001). Urinary I-FABP levels had no predictive value for IAH or new organ failure in severe burn patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of IAH among patients with ≥ 15% TBSA burned was 53%. None of the patients developed ACS. A relevant diagnostic or predictive value of I-FABP levels in identifying patients at risk for IAH-related complications, could not be demonstrated. Level of evidence: Level III, epidemiologic and diagnostic prospective observational study.