title: An investigation of the prevalence of psychological morbidity in burn-injured patients.
abstract: Research on the psychological impact of burn injuries has concentrated on major burns, while small burns have been largely neglected. In a prospective study, 45 patients with burn injuries ranging from 1 per cent or less up to 40 per cent total body surface area were assessed using semi-structured interviews within 2 weeks of sustaining the burn, and followed-up at approximately 3 months postburn to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems. The prevalence of clinically significant levels of anxiety, intrusions and avoidance remained similar at 2 weeks and 3 months postburn, however, the prevalence of depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) increased 6- and 4-times, respectively, by 3 months. Patients with small burn injuries of 1 per cent or less also experienced clinically significant levels of psychological difficulties postburn. The implications for the identification of patients at risk of future psychological morbidity are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust Headquarters, Mansfield, UK.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tedstone
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tarrier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology