Serum cholinesterase activity reflects morbidity in burned patients

Blood samples of 200 patients with thermal injuries were drawn apparently to determine the trend of the cholinesterase activity. In relation to the severity of the injury, a characteristic decrease was noted during the first days after admission. A recovery to normal values was achieved in all survivors (150 patients) after a proportionate period of time, but in the group of non-survivors (50 patients), no complete recovery to normal levels was found. Furthermore, a significant relationship between serum cholinesterase activity and the severity of morbidity was detected, the fall of the cholinesterase activity at the very beginning was significantly higher (P<0.004) in patients who died (1.3 kU/l) than in patients who survived (0.7 kU/l). Already 24 h after admission, the mean activity was significantly lower (P<0.003) in non-survivors (2.5 kU/l) than in survivors (3.2 kU/l). It seems that the serum cholinesterase is a sensitive indicator for the morbidity of patients with severe burn injuries.