Discriminant Function Probability Model for Predicting Survival in Burned Patients

Abstract

Statistical data on 570 burn patients treated on the Plastic Surgery Service at the University of Texas Medical Branch were subjected to a multi-discriminant function analysis. After screening several items of information, the variables selected for study were age, extent of burn, and sex. The results were used to construct a "probability model" to predict the chance of survival in a simplified form which can easily be used by medical and trained paramedical personnel. This method offers a rapid and adequately accurate method for determining the probability of survival when the age, sex, and extent of burn are known in an individual patient.