Advanced age escalates post-burn complications and older burn patients, and even those with relatively minor burns, have worse clinical outcomes after injury. While the mechanism(s) responsible for the compounding effects of age and burn injury have not been defined, in this viewpoint, we highlight the emerging data suggesting that age-mediated impairment of gut barrier integrity and dysbiosis of the fecal microbiome in older subjects may play a role in the heightened multi-organ responses seen in older patients. Studies aimed at exploring the contribution of intestinal dysfunction in age-related exacerbations of post-burn inflammatory responses could highlight novel therapeutic interventions that can be used to treat victims of burns and other traumatic injuries.
Keyphrases
- wound healing
- physical activity
- end stage renal disease
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- ejection fraction
- chronic kidney disease
- spinal cord injury
- risk factors
- cystic fibrosis
- community dwelling
- oxidative stress
- middle aged
- prognostic factors
- electronic health record
- peritoneal dialysis
- big data
- machine learning
- patient reported outcomes
- artificial intelligence
- deep learning