Predictors of chronic posttraumatic stress symptoms following burn injury: results of a longitudinal study.
The authors' goal was to examine the course and predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms among persons hospitalized for burns. A total of 301 participants completed self-report measures assessing peritraumatic mental state, anxiety related to pain, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Twenty-six percent of the participants were suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms at 2-3 weeks postburn and 15% of them at 12 months postburns. In general, a decrease in symptoms was observed over time, although a substantial part of the participants with acute stress symptoms suffers from chronic posttraumatic stress symptoms 1-year postburn. Symptoms were predicted by anxiety measures and objective factors, such as female gender, locus, and severity of injury.
Van Loey
N E E
NE
Department Research, Dutch Burns Foundation, Beverwijk, The Netherlands. nvanloey@dbf.nl
Maas
C J M
CJ
Faber
A W
AW
Taal
L A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*