Work status and burn specific health after work-related burn injury.
Work status is a valid indicator of post burn health. There is limited information on this issue after work-related burn injury.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate long-term health- and work status after work-related burns.


METHODS
Eighty-six former patients treated for severe work-related burn injuries an average of 9.0 years previous to follow-up were questioned about their present work status. They were also assessed with the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) and a pain scale adopted from the abbreviated Burn Specific Health Scale.


RESULTS
At follow-up 71 (83%) of the former patients were working, nine (10%) were on sick leave or had a disability pension, and six (7%) were unemployed. Those who were not working reported a poorer outcome in three of the BSHS-B psychosocial domains (Body Image, Affect and Interpersonal Relationships) and in two of the BSHS-B physical domains (Treatment Regimens and Work). They also reported significantly more pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Only a small group of former patients with work-related accidents were not working in the sample studied after a long follow-up period. The unemployed reported more pain and worse perceived health, particularly in psychosocial domains.
Dyster-Aas
Johan
J
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden.
Kildal
Morten
M
Willebrand
Mimmie
M
Gerdin
Bengt
B
Ekselius
Lisa
L
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational